Appropriation can be most broadly described as the act of taking or “copying” already made elements to create a new work. Examples of appropriation include documenting an event by taking a photograph, adding new elements to a previous work, or completely copying an original work so that it becomes the new work. Transcultural appropriation can involve violent annexations of objects from another culture, or a more restrained assimilation of objects from another culture. “Ape-Rope-Pray-8!” will examine these and other forms of appropriation and sampling.
“Ape-Rope-Pray-8!” raises issues concerning whether copyright laws protect artists or hinder creativity; if the laws are created to protect the creator, or to protect the future profits of the company or organization that owns the original work; and who decides what is can be copied, and to what extent. It also provokes questions about transcultural appropriations.

Hosted by Dr. Lenore Metrick-Chen, art and cultural historian and Professor of Art History at Drake University.

A lecture / recital will take place on January 29th at 2pm in the Patty and Fred Turner Jazz Center on appropriation and sampling in music, featuring appropriated pieces by composers Jacob ter Veldhuis, Mischa Zupko, and Judith Shatin and lecture by professors James Romain and Nicholas Roth.

On Monday 30 January panel discussion will occur in conjunction with the “Ape-Rope-Pray-8!” exhibition.
Peter K. Yu, Kern Family Chair in Intellectual Property Law and Director, Intellectual Property Law Center at Drake Law School, will moderate the panel discussion on Monday, January 30th. The discussion, titled “Appropriation Art + Copyright Challenges” will focus on the copyright laws associated with sampling and appropriation in art, music and film. Panel members will explore notions of originality and creativity, the boundaries of copyright law as well as creative and legal challenges confronting artists. Panel members include Doris E. Long, Professor of Law and Chair, Intellectual Property, Information Technology and Privacy Group at the John Marshall Law School, Chicago; and Michael Kowalski, New York based composer. The discussion will begin at 5 p.m. in the Patty and Fred Turner Jazz Center.

on Tuesday, January 31st, Michael Kowalski, a panel member of the above listed event, will additionally join us for a public lecture titled “Musical Mushrooms – Beware of What You Sample: Eight Case Studies of Musical Appropriation.” The lecture will begin at 6pm in the Reading Room at Cowles Library, 2725 University Avenue.

The lectures, exhibition and all related events are free and open to the public. Regular Anderson Gallery hours are Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. and by appointment. “Ape-Rope-Pray-8!” closes Sunday, February 26th.

Please contact Lenore Metrick-Chen for any additional information.
Lmetrickchendrake.edu