In a time where it has become increasingly difficult to distinguish what is real from imitations, it is important to often question what we consider to be true or false about what we are shown. It is important to keep everything open to suspicion and scrutiny.
Art forgery is considered a crime. The idea of a 'real painting' and a 'fake painting' is questionable as a pair of identical paintings, one copied from the other, could on the surface be the totally the same, but one would would be considered "authentic" while the other would not. I find this concept interesting that an artist who forges replica paintings requires the same level of skill, if not higher, than the skill set required to create the original (i.e. creating artificial ageing and other marks of provenance). In the video above the artist is proud of his work knowing it isn't the original work. The ability to being able to fool someone, to this creator, is its own art. He sees his work as a craft, something he has perfected through time and practice. The skills that he uses are authentic, just not the imagery held within the paintings he sells.
The fact that he has created a replica of a pre-existing painting can dilute the experience of the original. The social and cultural context of the painting is what gives the art its richness, If there was no original painting to compare it to, then would it gain the same level of appreciation as a stand-alone piece?
With this concept then thrown into a technological, consumer driven society, there is a sense of irony in knowing that the experience of seeing the original paintings can be diluted further as the vast majority of famous and well regarded artworks may be mostly seen digitally as a representation on a computer screen.
As these artworks can be viewed online, it therefore follows that this digital media will follow the trend of being re-appropriated or post-produced, thus resulting in a situation whereby a £100,000 painting can be put on a £10 t-shirt and cheap hat.
The overwhelming majority of media and consumption in our current society promotes a rise in a philistine mindset. As materialism becomes more common and popular, people become detached from the original context and meaning of works. Luxury logos and role models inspire and propel the creation of counterfeit goods because of this. Consumers are often aware that the item they are buying is not "authentic", but the desire to own these inaccessible or expensive items fuels and creates a market of its own. The items are cheap and have the much of the same visual impact, but it begs the question, does the meaning and 'specialness' of the item become lesser? This is open to questioning on a case-by-case basis, as it also questions if the satisfaction we gain from an item is more important than the legitimacy of the art/product origin.
There is a counter to this consumer culture and the rise in popularity in "quality" and "authentic" goods which is now becoming much more popular. Craft beers and traditional barbers are now being promoted, and the proliferation of independent business over corporate entities is increasing. Alongside this movement there is a correlation of nostalgia and the idea of "things used to be better". Born from this mindset, there is now a new generation of consumers such as Vinyl collectors and lovers of shabby chic, who find satisfaction and personal pride in the workmanship and quality of products from a less consumerist age.
"In an age of impersonal digital media, building social connectedness through nostalgia is an easy way for companies to leverage the optimistic feelings that often accompany walks down memory lane. Associating brand messaging with positive references from the 90s, 80s — and even the 70s — humanizes brands, forging meaningful connections between the past and present." - Friedman, L. (2016). Why Nostalgia Marketing Works So Well With Millennials, And How Your Brand Can Benefit. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com.
Is the reason we are drawn to these "quality and "authentic" outlooks just good marketing strategies based on boosting self worth and emotional bonds with the past, or are people sick of the abundance of "fake" imagery and counterfeit goods in the consumer world?
Leaving this open to interpretation and questioning would you consider authenticity to be a feeling? A style of production or an experience? Perhaps its none or all of these. I personally feel there is no strict definition as it all comes down to cultural and social development.
