“Nothing can be invented without reference to something else. Scientists build upon theories based on previous discoveries, as do artists and inventors. Strictly speaking, progress in art stems in part from the artist’s knowledge of art history and world events. It is therefore not an uncommon practice for artists to borrow, paraphrase, quote, or “reinvent” images from past art. The borrowings by contemporary artists are often direct and undisguised, and frequently clothed in impudent humor, satire, and parody.” - Nicholas Roukes, Humor in Art

Master Copy – A historical teaching technique of which students tried to copy professional works as closely as their skills would allow.

Reinventing the Masters

Appropriation – Applying aspects – e.g., images, style, overall design – of previously created work to a new creation.

Analogy- A comparison between things that are unlike. A means for making humorous relationships between dissimilar subjects.

Anthropomorphism- Giving animals or objects human traits.

Burlesque- Mockery by ridicule or caricature; imitation in a humorous or mocking manner.

Michelangelo Statue of David Original and Modern Day

Alexander the Great Triumphant statue

Hyperbole- An exaggeration, often to a ridiculous degree.

Metaphor- An idea expressed by some form of substitution. A metaphor may contain contradiction but of a logical nature.

Oxymoron- A self-contradictory figure of speech or image. The term “loud silence” is a literally oxymoron; the image self-drawing hand, by M.C. Escher, is a visual oxymoron.

Paradox- That which is self-contradictory, beyond belief, or which seems to hide its meaning.

Parody- A humorous spoof or take-off. Mimicry or comic imitation of a selected subject.

Pun- Humorous word play or image/word play that surprises with sound alike substitutions to achieve funny and inconsistent meaning. I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down.