Remix Culture as Applied to 3D Objects

Appropriating and combining existing materials to express ideas in fresh and original ways is known as Remix Culture, Read-Write Culture, or Mashup.  Remix appears in many artistic mediums including music, photography, film, paint and has been employed by well known artists such as Marcel Duchamp, Damien Hirst and even Lady Gaga.  By using a remix approach, the artist looks to juxtapose familiar images with contrasting effect to engage the audience's imagination.  As the audience attempts to reconcile the images into a meaningful narrative,  the status quo is often questioned and the fundamental elements of the source material reinterpreted.  Remix brings together ideas expressed in different genres, by different individuals, and perhaps over different periods of time in a synergistic approach where not all parties are aware of the collaboration, thus touching upon copywriter laws and potential copy write infringement.    

Soldier and Teddy Bear -
Soldier - "Prone Toy Soldier" by SouthGeometric, https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:610547
Teddy Bear - "Teddy Bear" by Cerberus333, https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:20938

This image of a soldier and a pink teddy bear contrasts the violence inherent in the image of a soldier poised to shoot, likely at another human, with a soft stuffed animal commonly associated with children and innocence.  Several interpretations of this image are possible as follows:

• a soldiers' desire to maintain his sense of humanity.
• a soldier is a depersonalized role where the individual is obscured and orders are followed without question.  The teddy bear once again makes him an individual.
• A soldier can still have the many fears of a child.
• The idea of sending a child to kill another human in the name of war is abhorrent, but our society finds it very acceptable to send an adult.  Many of the worries and fears of sending a child into a violent space should be experienced when sending an adult to kill another person.
• the fact the soldier is a toy soldier designed for children to play with questions the impact of violent toys on childhood innocence.

Soldier in Drag
Soldier - "German Soldier" by Osaru2846
Eye Makeup - created in Tinkerverse
Lips - "Kiss" by PeterVDB, https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:19928

This image of a german soldier dressed in drag contrasts the extremely male image of a german soldier with the ultra feminine trappings of bright makeup.  Several thoughts come to mind when viewing this image as follows;

• a soldier is a depersonalized role, but soldiers are still people with individualized desires, ideas, and human quirks.
• is dressing in drag less acceptable if you are in a traditionally masculine role?
• thoughts on gender politics and stereotypes come to mind

Take 5
Hello Kitty - "Hello Kitty" by Austinrunning, https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:371746
Cigarette Smoke - made in Illustrator
Cigarette - made in Tinkered

This image of the innocent childhood icon contrasted with the bad girl act of cigarette smoking brings to mind the following:

• is allowing or even encouraging your child to be a Hello Kitty fan similar to handing them a pack of cigarettes?  While this might seem extreme, Hello Kitty can be interpreted as an image of female subjugation.  Hello Kitty has no mouth, preventing her from expressing herself and allowing others to make decisions for her.  By giving her a mouth, she is able to make her own decisions and even if they are unhealthy ones, this is preferable to having no say. 
• children lose their innocence early in our society.

Alien Trump
Donald Trump - "Trump Cat" by Derproperto, https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2355495
Alien Antenna - created in Tinkered

Donald Trump contrasted with alien antennae seems fitting for the following reasons:

• Trumps' behaviour is unlikely anything we've seen before in US politics.  His approach is alien-like.
• The antennae can be interpreted as animal or insect antennae, bringing to mind unpleasant imagery such as slugs, snails, and praying mantis.  Many people have had a similar visceral reaction to Trump even without the antennae.

Fido for Dinner
Dog - "Sleeping Dog" by MustangDave, https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:441027
Plate, knife, fork - "Dinner Set" by Hendo420, https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:49241

The idea of eating a pet is abhorrent to us yet most of us are fine with eating pigs, chicken, cows etc.  Pigs in particular have many of the same characteristics as a pet dog;  they are very intelligent, highly social, recognize individual humans, and have long term memories.  Perhaps us non-vegetarians should reconsider our meat choices.

Christ as a Wizard
Christ - "Jesus" by will_CORP, https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:729638
Wizard Hat - "Wizard Sorting Duck" by Tanmu, https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2533687
Wizard Staff Topper - "Wizard Staff Topper" by WC_Wookiee, https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2533687

I've always found the image of Jesus Christ to be amazingly similar to that of a wizard.  The long beard, hair and cloak are trappings of both Jesus and a Wizard and the similarities don't end there.  Miracles, spells, healings - all of these are completed by both.  This image, while irreverent, contrasts an idea many people believe in with one very few take seriously, yet their characteristics are almost identical.  Why is it OK and almost expected to believe in one and not the other?

Jesus Toting Guns
Christ - "Jesus" by will_CORP, https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:729638
Gun - "Sub-Machine Gun 2" by Forepost_D6, https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:678772

A gun toting Jesus is a bit of a shocking image.  It contrasts the violence implied with the guns with the peace and love message religions almost alway profess.  Yet many wars and much violence occurs in the name of a religion, commonly one that teaches love and peace.   

Teeth Knife
Knife - "Paper Knife/Letter Opener" by MasterFX, https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:260794
Teeth - "Adult Teeth Models for Learning Teeth Morphology" by Bingodobber, https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2443703

Much of our technology is to enhance or take the place of our human body from the use of knives instead of our own teeth to cut food, to cars to replace walking.  This image just emphasizes that connection.

Dangerous Squirrel
Squirrel - "Squirrel" by Scintilla, https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:102951
Tooth - "Wolf Tooth" by Rossi1450, https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:102951

Although something might seem innocent and cute, it can still cause a lot of damage.

Teeth in Apple
Apple - "Apple" by Poh, https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:135964
Teeth - "Chatterbox Teeth - Windup" by Winosis, https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:8138

Cutting open an apple and discovering teeth inside the apple would be highly disconcerting.  This image brings to mind:

• Genetically modified foods - have we gone too far?
• The health of our produce directly links to our health.
• opening an apple is similar to looking into the inner workings of nature.  If we find something unnatural, we have to ask ourselves what part are we playing in permanently altering nature?