Richard de Domenici is one of those compulsively subversive types. Not the Molitov-throwing anarchist type of subversive but the “what the hell is that guy doing?” performance artist type. Most of his work seems to fall into the culture-jamming category and since that community of artists is constantly seeking to pervert daily norms there are inevitably clashing and overlapping ideas sprouting concurrently and independently as different artists find inspiration in the same opportunities. Plagiarismo! is a humourous PowerPoint lecture documenting how his projects borrow from, lend to, or otherwise compare with other people’s ideas.
More than that, the lecture is an exposé of plagiarism in commercial art and music. Surely the product of a lifelong obsession with pop culture, this is research of breathtaking obscurity. The inner geek in you will squirm with glee as decades-old songs which you’d forgotten that you remembered are resurrected and gently mocked. Punctuated with daft and ironic facts, this loosely woven presentation could quite enjoyably be expanded into a full-blown show in its own right. Here, though, it serves as an effective introduction and thematic frame for de Domenici’s own work.
More self-aware than vain, this is nevertheless a highly personality-driven performance. Listening to an artist comment on his own work is only bearable when the works are actually interesting. Although there is nothing earth-shatteringly significant here, there is at least enough curiosity value and honest good humour to last the hour. Amusing, intriguing, and entirely worthwhile.
3/5 
Bernie Greenwood
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