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Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Kerry's Wednesday Challenge ~ Pastiche

pastiche [pa-steesh, pah-]
noun
1. a literary, musical, or artistic piece consisting wholly or chiefly of motifs or techniques borrowed from one or more sources.
2. an incongruous combination of materials, forms, motifs, etc. taken from different sources; hodgepodge.

See also the Merriam-Webster.com definition for an exhaustive set of synonyms.

Kate Moss Muse by Banksy
Read more on this pastiche style HERE
Pastiche in art, music and literature is a form of imitation, which remains respectful (if ironically so) of the original source. Alternatively, it is a creative design made up of several disparate elements, also known as a hodgepodge. I'm sure we are all familiar with the artwork and photography of Ellen Wilson, who often uses pastiche in her imagery.

© Ellen Wilson
Ella's Edge
Pastiche is prominent in popular culture. "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen is unusual as it is a pastiche in both senses of the word, as there are many distinct styles imitated in the song, all 'hodgepodged' together to create one piece of music. Many genre writings, particularly in fantasy, are essentially pastiches. The Star Wars series of films by George Lucas is often considered to be a pastiche of traditional science fiction television serials (or radio shows). The fact that Lucas's films have been influential in spawning their own pastiches can be regarded as a function of postmodernity. To read more about the role of pastiche in the creative arts, read the full page on Wikipedia. For an interesting discussion of a pastiche designed by Verne McDonald which depicts the Beatles as characters of da Vinci's The Last Supper, click HERE.

Sappho poetry fragment

The American poet, Reginald Shepherd, explains in his anthology Lyric Postmodernism that none of the techniques of contemporary poetry are new. “[S]yntactical fracture or deformation, quotation, pastiche, collage, montage, cinematic jump-cuts, polyvocality or multiplication of voices, irony, parody, the mingling of kinds of diction and discourse ... and juxtaposition instead of narrative or extended meditation” can all be found in the work of the high modernists. Source

I leave the interpretation and implementation of the idea of pastiche entirely up to each person who would like to participate in this challenge. Be innovative and open-minded in your approach. Remember that our links do not expire, so work that is posted later in the week will still be visited by other participants.


21 comments:

  1. Way past my bedtime, I just stopped by the Garden to see who was up and about. Kerry, you must have just left, having aced another prompt and essay. Pastiche confuses me because it is somewhere amid collage, parody and satire but I am not quite sure of the boundaries. The one I posted is serious, in the form of, and quite fun (I think)--so please let me know if it is a true pastiche! I have taken changed a coy mistress into a wise lady. It is not for the faint of heart.

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  2. I think you have voiced the dilemma of working within the boundaries of pastiche very well, Susan. To be honest, I'm not very sure how to approach it myself, but I believe a lot of my work is already a pastiche of postmodern styles...
    Having said that, be sure I'm not setting any rules, I'm just interested to see what others come up with.

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  3. Up way too early, in contrast to Susan.
    Thanks for a fascinating prompt, yet again, Kerry.
    No idea if I gave myself too much leaway here. I even incorporated a few lines of Larkin's poem 'Arrival', as they were so pertinent that I didn't dare tamper with them.
    Most of my pastiche was based on sounds.

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  4. Wow, Kerry! Thank you for mentioning me, with this association :D I'm reading a book right now: STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST, by Austin Kleon.

    I want to share this quote from the book:

    "Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work(and theft) will be authentic.": -Jim Jarmusch

    This is a fascinating idea-I love it! :D Thank you-

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  5. That is the perfect quote for this prompt, Ellen. Thank you. And I will be interested to see how you approach the challenge ;-)

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  6. oh Jim Jarmusch! Andy Warhol! yay. got some ideas bouncing off my skull, we'll see. cool prompt, Kerry.

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  7. I love bouncing ideas ;D not stealing, bouncing, lol
    I love that Marian...
    I'm going to "bounce like an artist" ;D

    Thank you Kerry!

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  8. Wow, Kerry, what a challenging challenge!
    You're so right about Ella's artwork. She has such a good eye for unrelated things that work together superbly.
    I have a busy day today, but I'll sure be thinking about this. I was awake much of last night planning a pastiche of tastes I'm putting together as party fare, so you and I might have been on the same wavelength.
    K

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  9. Well, admittedly I had a bit of 'fun' with this prompt. I didn't intend to, but it just happened. I will make as many visits as I can later today (and DEFINITELY to those who 'visit' me).

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  10. Ha, I had more time than I thought. I'm up to date with comments...some interesting reads so far.

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  11. I've chucked in something I'd sent to the cornfield some years back and re-built it. It might have been better left in said cornfield.

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  12. I will try to make it around to read everyone's poem tomorrow. I will be of more use once xmas is over! I promise!

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  13. Kerry, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
    Thanks for sharing your words, smart ideas and interesting challenges all through the year.
    If I had more spare time, I would like to participate in ALL the challenges, but it's impossible; sure you understand.
    A hug,
    Dulcina

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  14. Mine is definitely hodgepodge..It is rather messy with glue streaks upon it. lol

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  15. I agree with Ella, 100% ! But I stuck to a visual hodgepodge of all my own work, for a change. :)

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  16. I'm suffering with the worst depressive episode of my life so far and the only thing getting me through is poetry. I wrote my little pastichebefore you even gave the prompt, it was me trying to cheer myself. I'm visiting you all but I have no great words to share, although I try to comment for you all, prewar just accept my very grateful thanks for being creative and giving me poetry to read.

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    1. Emma, I am so sorry. Poetry can often be good therapy. Write on.

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  17. What a fun prompt, Kerry. It got my pen's attention! Thanks.

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  18. Izy, what happened to your poem?!
    Boohoohoo :'(

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  19. reposting the link to my poem, first link is invalid

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