Appropriation In Visual Arts

The phenomenon of appropriation is common to be found in artistic fields. However, the specific theory on appropriation is absent in China by now, and there is no systematic theoretical frame for it in western countries. This thesis summarizes the concept, the connotation and types of appropriation, as well as the reflection in the context of Chinese and western philosophy. Through historical research and case studies, the reason and mechanics for appropriation will be discussed, in order to find the discipline for the use of appropriation in arts for the first time.Appropriation can be used in different meanings. This thesis will try to explore the abundant connotations of appropriation and the relationship between appropriation and artistic creation, by means of learning from the ancients, learning from the nature, and learning from West. In analyzing the techniques of appropriation, it is easy to find the meanings of artistic practice of appropriation in various fields of arts and the trend of its development. It is likely that the relationship of appropriation and imitation is not, or might be never, easy to discriminate, however, the rational reflections over the application of appropriation is quite critical. This thesis discusses the applications of appropriation like painting, photography, calligraphy, opera and movie, so that the representation and development of appropriation in the western world can be straightened out.The writer, as a graduate student, not only paid attention to historical research and case studies, but also tried to use a comparative approach to discover the whole artistic living scene. In addition to the narrations, there are two chapters studying the representation of appropriation in post-modernist arts. Also, the thesis discovers the meaning sin cultural communication and development among different ethnics.