Kevin: Questioning Originality and Authenticity

Whether it be the quest for the most authentic food or a handmade product that is "unlike any other," the search for the authentic and the original is a funny cultural practice. I think that this search stems from the fact that so much of our lives is mass-produced and superficial. Regardless of the explanation,I question whether there is a valid basis for this desire to be authentic, because historically it has not always been this way. Prior to WWII, owning mass-produced objects were a sign of class privilege and did not carry the connotation of being "cheap plastic junk."

In response to the reading, I agree that there is certainly something special about seeing a real work of art (that is what Benjamin describes as its aura). And while I agree that it is impressive and inspiring to see the real Mona Lisa or the real La Guernica, I question the validity of that feeling. Does it simply come from being next to something famous and valuable? The same way that people get excited when they see a movie star in a coffee shop or at a restaurant. Why should a copy of the great works of art in our own homes feel any less fantastic? For me the aura of a piece of art is contained within the image and does not need to be authentic to impact me.

"Original" Works of Art