Visual Remix

        Is it possible that the visual remix has been around for as long as visuals have? While exploring the idea of the remix, I began to wonder... if there is a popular narrative behind a set of images, for example, Donatello's David (c-1430) and Michaelangelo's David (1501-1504), would the later still be considered a "visual remix"? Michaelangelo DID admire the work of Donatello so perhaps Donatello's David served as inspiration, but Michaelangelo put a twist (or perhaps, remix) on his, and carved David right before he killed Goliath. Many folk tunes have no named composer, so are historical and religious tales a free for all too? And is architecture the same? How close can an artwork or design be to a previous work before it is considered a remix, or does this term only apply to popular culture? Things to ponder..

The first two images that came to mind when I learned about Visual Remixes were... 

Duchamp's Mona Lisa













And                                                                                        










Richard Hamilton's "Just what is it that makes today's home so different, so appealing?"











Duchamp takes a copy of a hugely famous painting by Da Vinci, draws a mustache on it and writes L.H.O.O.Q. at the bottom. Hamilton uses a variety of images from the media in a collage to create an new work. I would consider both to be visual remixes, however I feel Duchamp's to be less creative, BUT very brave. 

While looking for more examples, I stumbled upon Ethan Hein's blog where he gives his opinion on visual remixes and relates them to audio remixes.