“An original is a creation motivated by desire.
Any reproduction of an original is motivated by necessity.”

— Man Ray

"Originals Graphics Multiples" (1973) 
Context: An original is a creation motivated by desire.
Any reproduction of an original is motivated by necessity.
The original is the result of an automatic process, the reproduction, of a mechanical process. In other words: Inspiration then information; each validates the other.
All other considerations are beyond the scope of these statements.
It is marvelous that we are the only species that creates gratuitous forms. To create is divine, to reproduce is human.

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Man Ray 18

American artist and photographer 1890–1976

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