PhotoStatic 31: July 1988

http://psrf.detritus.net/volume/6/p31.html

Plagiarism®

One of our most popular issues, and certainly one of our best reads, the current number comprises an exposition on the arresting notion of plagiarism as a positive artistic technique, especially as inspired by the Neoists and Stewart Home. Amid the memory of such witticisms as “Plagiarism saves time,” we find, in the outer margins of each page, a series of essays, each exploring an individual’s opinion or vision about plagiarism as an impetus and subject for creative works.

The handwritten text used for a cover image typifies the mental puzzling and gamesmanship in which many in our then-circle of participants engaged. Written by Christopher Erin, it takes no prisoners and leaves not a subatomic particle untouched in its amusing over-reach. Not to be outdone, the Tape-beatles took the opportunity of this issue to unveil their new registered trademark — on the world “Plagiarism®” itself.

Significant texts by such deep thinkers as Harry Polkinhorn and Ralph Johnson (among many others) fill the inch-wide margins with texts. Similarly important graphic works for the main space of the pages are provided by the likes of John Stickney, Steven Perkins, and others.