Kendell Geers Urges Kader Attia to Withdraw Plagiarism Lawsuit Against French Rap Duo

Kendell Geers has publicly appealed to Kader Attia to abandon his plagiarism lawsuit against French rappers Dosseh et Nekfeu. In an open letter published on Le Monde's art blog, Geers contends that copying, quotation, and even plagiarism have historically been central to avant-garde artistic practices. He references the Surrealists, Guy Debord, and the cut-up techniques of William Burroughs and Bryon Gysin, noting their concept was itself derived from Tristan Tzara. Geers argues this approach has evolved into a foundational element of Rap, Hip Hop, urban culture, Pop Art, and Postmodernism. Attia initiated legal action over a music video featuring rows of figures in silver-foil emergency hoods, which closely resembles his 2007 installation Ghost. Geers criticizes the art world for evaluating artists primarily based on price, sales, and market rankings. He implores Attia to allow fellow artists the freedom to quote, sample, pay homage, and express themselves artistically. The letter includes visual comparisons highlighting striking similarities between works by both artists.