After Henri Matisse by students at the Visual School of Arts, New York, 2015.Of plagiarism I once wr

After Henri Matisse by students at the Visual School of Arts, New York, 2015.

Of plagiarism I once wrote, “It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” Mere copying, in other words, also my words, had no value.

Three years ago, a photography instructor decided to challenge my unique perspective, arguing that within his medium true plagiarism was not possible. An inherent originality, he said, would transform the imitator into a creator.

His students were told to mimic as best they could a famous image containing nudity.

When I was in art school I remember becoming discouraged, believing any worthwhile image had already been made. The goal of this assignment was to teach that even if you try very hard to remake someone else’s work, your photographs can only be your own.

I must admit that the ensuing product, prepared by the students, looks nothing like Matisse’s Blue Nude.