Cryptomnesia is defined as a forgotten memory that returns to a person without being recognized as such, and the person thus takes it as new and original. This may happen with a thought, melody, or image. Carl Jung quite liked the notion, which was introduced by Théodore Flournoy at the turn of the last century. The person would be falsely accused of plagiarism because he or she does not remember it at all. And this is what Sebastijan Vojvoda keeps telling everyone about his paintings, many of which look suspiciously like mine. He might have seen my work, he says, but he certainly does not remember it. Thus it is coming back to him as his own. This would sound plausible enough if a few of his paintings were in doubt. In fact, at least thirteen of them can be found on a single postcard of mine (“The Fucking Postcard,” February 4, 2015). Many of his paintings are nearly identical as my own, which were painted earlier than his. And a few are so close that not even cryptomnesia can be of any help. Vojvoda has plagiarized even the tiniest details from the postcard in question. In my reply to his latest interview for Glas Istre (The Voice of Istria), I challenged him to a polygraph test. I hope it will appear in print sometime next week. Let us see if he can persuade the lie detector of his innocence, which he loves parading for all to see. Otherwise, we might have to call in a court expert specializing in visual arts. Any such expert would only laugh out loud at any mention of cryptomnesia, I am pretty sure well in advance.

Addendum I (May 26, 2015)

My reply to Vojvoda’s interview appeared in today’s issue of Glas Istre. And in full. The only disappointment is that the photograph of my paintings from 2001, which appeared on the postcard in question, is not large enough to show all the requisite detail of the thirteen plagiarized paintings. And this was my specific request, too. This error on the part of the newspaper notwithstanding, I am pleased that my challenge is out in the open at long last. I only wonder when will Vojvoda take the polygraph test so as to prove me wrong once and for all. This month? This year?

Addendum II (May 27, 2015)

Vojvoda saw my reply in the newspapers. I got an electronic-mail message from him yesterday evening. As always, he sounds conciliatory, but he insists that plagiarism is out of the question. Everyone I show my paintings and his paintings agrees that cryptomnesia is a ludicrous idea, but he insists on it in spite of all the evidence. Most important, he agrees to a polygraph test, and he wants to know where and when he should take it. But he abhors any mention of the court, and he thus hopes we will manage to find a solution in a friendly way. I am not sure what, if anything, to write to him in return. The ball is now in his court, anyhow. Although few Croats read English, my argument is now loud and clear in Croatian, as well. And at least thirteen of his paintings can be found on a single postcard of mine. Pure mystery, for sure!

Addendum III (December 8, 2018)

Quite by chance, Sebastijan Vojvoda came up in conversation with a friend, who knew nothing about my troubles with Vojvoda’s plagiarism. To help him understand my case, I send my friend links to several relevant pieces from my magnum opus. Having done that, I searched the World Wide Web for my response to Vojvoda’s interview in Glas Istre (The Voice of Istria). Try as I might, though, I could not find it. Only after much trying, I realized that my response has been removed in the meanwhile. Which is to say, Vojvoda has good connections in the leading Istrian newspaper. Luckily for him, few people on the peninsula can read English of any complexity, either. In short, cryptomnesia is here to stay. Plagiarism, what plagiarism? Congratulations all around!