Creative Commons’ Open Culture Remix Art Contest #CCSharesCulture is open until 30 April 2022. So there’s still plenty of time to remix existing art and turn it into something fresh and exciting under the theme “Love Culture? Share Culture!”

In the run up to the submission deadline, we are introducing our panel of experts, who will judge the entries based on their conformity with the theme, expression of the theme, originality, creativity, quality, artistic expression, personal expression, visual appeal, and overall impact. Get to know one of our six judges, karen darricades, in this Q&A blog post. 

Who are you?

I am a multidisciplinary artist, media educator, and the arts and culture lead at Creative Commons Canada. I co-host live events featuring artists using CC-licensed works and open software called Watch Me Work: a look behind the screen with digital artists and creators. Watch Me Work will be live again in May with new episodes. Mostly, I live to support young creatives access the materials they need to create works of collage, photography and new media of all kinds. When not running workshops, I’m making digital things jump off screens and into the world using augmented reality.

What does “better sharing” of culture mean to you? 

Better sharing to me means building a culture where creatives are free to borrow and build on meaning, while having a clear understanding of where those works came from and how those who created them want to be recognized for their contributions. A culture of sharing at its best recognizes the labor that went into the initial artistic process, but is free to create something new with it.

How can open access to cultural heritage stimulate creativity?

All art is art criticism, a reflection of and addition to the ideas and representations that came before, and implies an understanding that once we create something, it takes on a life of its own. That’s how cultural heritage remains relevant, vibrant and iterative parts of the human experience.

What advice would you give to folks who are in two minds about entering CC’s Open Culture Remix Art Contest?

Please, don’t hesitate! Remixing is often messy, undecided and unfinished, please share your musings with us.

What sparked your passion for “open” culture?

The need to make something from something due to an inability to make something from nothing. I look at a blank page and see nothing. When I look at something, be it a famous work of art, flier stapled on a lamppost or a design element out of context, that’s when I get curious and motivated to make. I have always cut and pasted things of all kinds into new Frankenstein-like hybrids, and am so thankful to live in a time when more materials are at my fingertips than ever before, from peers to pros and historical works, all available to use or rework, it’s fantastic!

What excites you about being a judge for CC’s Open Culture Remix Art Contest?

Everything! So excited to see the things folks will submit and their interpretations of the call. I work with young people using collage concepts and remixing content in my workshops, and frankly, it never gets tiring.

CONTEST NOW CLOSED. Thank you so much to everyone who participated. We will announce the shortlisted entries and winners in May 2022.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the contest, please contact us at communications@creativecommons.org.