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2020 (21) Tokyo Olympics

Created 1 August 2021 from photographs of the images on a Manga® Sake Junmai bottle and an attached label on a Haku® Vodka bottle to celebrate the 2020 Tokyo Olympics being held this year. Consequently, the young woman in the image has “2020” face paint under her right eye and the young man has “2021” face paint under his left eye. The “Tokyo” label was modified to include the Olympic logo, Japanese characters for Tokyo, and the five Olympic rings. The “0” in 2020 and 2021 are a solid red circle to resemble the Japanese flag on a white background. The latter year is included since the 2020 Olympics had been delayed a year because of the global COVID-19 pandemic. To further resemble the Japanese flag, all images are in black and white with the exception of red.

As I watch the Olympics, to make it a more immersive experience I’ve tried a variety of Japanese drinks. :) Finally, to conclude, I wrote the following Haiku verses:

Through Olympic Sport,
All the world makes a bold stand –
COVID will not win!


Consequently the Samurai sword in the image on the right represents Humanity's final victory over the COVID-19 pandemic for ultimately we will WIN!

May everyone stay safe and the sports competition bring out the best in all the participants and the world community – borders and everything aside, we are one – ONE HUMAN race.

Note: None of the images in this collage are being used for trademark purposes and thus per U.S. copyright law its creation through digital editing and display is legally acceptable

Update: The 2nd Circuit Court Decision, 26 March 2021 Andy Warhol Found. for the Visual Arts, Inc. v. Goldsmith, No. 19-2420- CV, 2021 WL 1148826 narrowed the “fair use” doctrine for appropriation works of art such that his “Prince” silk screens are no longer considered original works as a lower court had ruled.

This decision doesn’t prohibit all appropriation art. For example in 2020 (21) Tokyo Olympics satisfies 17 U.S.C. § 107(4) that focuses on “the effect of use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work,” the basis for the decision in Andy Warhol Found. for the Visual Arts, Inc. v. Goldsmith (2021) since the collage created from the Sake bottle meets the criteria of establishing “a new distinct artistic purpose and be reasonably perceived as having a new meaning or message separate from the borrowed work a new distinct artistic purpose and be reasonably perceived as having a new meaning or message separate from the borrowed work.” This collage doesn’t compete with sales of the Sake, impact such sales or convey the original meaning and purpose of Manga®'s depiction. Instead as a distinct 2D collage from the 3D bottle (inset), its new purpose and meaning is to solely celebrate the 2020 Tokyo Olympics being held these two weeks.
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77 comments

©UdoSm said:

Well done William...
3 years ago

@ngélique ❤️ said:

splendide création mon ami *************bravo !
3 years ago ( translate )

Malik Raoulda said:

Superbement rendue et très artistique. Le 0 en rouge est tout un symbole.
Bonne et agréable semaine.
3 years ago ( translate )

cp_u said:

Excellent picture, William!
Try to get Dassai sake! I found it one of the very best ones when I was frequently in Tokyo ...
3 years ago

William Sutherland replied to cp_u:

Thank you for the recommendation Claus-Peter! I'll try and get it mid week to enjoy before the Olympics concludes.
3 years ago

Armando Taborda said:

Great creation, William!
3 years ago ( translate )

Rosalyn Hilborne said:

Well put together William. I am enjoying the Olympics, but I wish I had thought of trying a variety of Japanese drinks!! Well, there is still time!

Take care and have a good new week.
3 years ago

William Sutherland replied to Rosalyn Hilborne:

Almost a week left to indulge in something Japanese. Thank and likewise have a good week, Rosalyn!
3 years ago

* ઇઉ * said:

Awesome work that really excites me, William!
There is nothing to complain about in your remarks about the legal situation (copyrights).
Would be desirable and great, all would be making themselves as conscientiously knowledgeable as you.
Have a great week and stay well!
3 years ago

William Sutherland replied to * ઇઉ *:

I thought it was important to add the copyright notes to ensure there is no confusion and to alert people of the appellate decision in the Andy Warhol lawsuit since it completely reversed a lower court's ruling re: his "Prince" silk screen art work once deemed sufficiently original but no more. The case will likely go to the U.S. Supreme Court and his they uphold this latest decision, the Warhol foundation may face a large number of infringement claims and use of appropriation art and subsequent originality may be limited not only material transformation but ALSO the requirement of a "new distinctive artistic purpose."
3 years ago

tiabunna said:

Great work, William, combining the Olympics and art very effectively.
3 years ago

Zulma said:

One of your best creations William. i am so into the Olympic Games this year, that I can appreciate this image so much. I am almost ready to try some of the drinks :) Stay safe my friend.
3 years ago

Josiane Dirickx said:

Une création génial dont vous avez le don de créer tout en y mettant des symboles forts intéressants
3 years ago ( translate )

Soeradjoen (limited… said:

Great work.
3 years ago

Jocelyne Villoing said:

Tout à fait excellent !*******
Bonne journée William
3 years ago ( translate )