Jeff Koons is guilty of plagiarism
in Paris. Something ironic, I’d say.
Can there ever really occur schism
rending art, writing, and our everyday
experience? “Immature poets
imitate; mature poets steal,” so said
T.S. Eliot, who should know. So it’s
clear how Shakespeare lifted from Holinshed,
Oscar Wilde was condemned for stealing verse,
George Harrison was slapped by The Chiffons
from tapping “He’s So Fine”. Could have been worse,
I guess: Brahms sneaking notes from Beethoven.
Say “conspiracy”? Say “inspiration”?
Depends on legal interpretation.
Roger Armbrust
November 16, 2018
