Authenticity.

Bird brings up the point of viewing artwork as authentic. This could mean a piece of artwork is as described truthfully, the artist statement or explanation really happened, or a piece was actually created by one person or another.

I understand that artists have used the theme of authenticity in their own work to make people question the authenticity of art. This is a challenge to the art world, specifically the art market. This reminds me of landscape art, in which the creations are permanent or deterioration, thus never able to be sold. It also strongly reminds me of Duchamp's Fountain, where he first questioned if the artist's hand is important in the creation of artwork. It also brings up the resentment that abstract expressionists or minimalists received for the criticism of "My kid could make that."

Basically, this brings up the lifelong question of, "What is art?" There will never be a universally accepted definition of this question. How could there be? People will have their own opinion on it forever. Is Fountain art? Is Jetti art? Is Ma Jolie art? Is The Last Supper art? Is Banksy an artist? Is the violinist on the street corner an artist? Typically the art world has revolved around critics and the market. People value art that is declared art by patrons or gallery owners, exhibited, and deemed valuable enough for money. This goes for selling artwork, having a film produced, concert tickets, or a dance choreographed. Who can ever declare art "authentic"? By what standards? If it was made by the first artist, or recreated perfectly by another? If it shows technical skill? If no one has really never done it before? If it cost money to make it? If it depends on its environment?

It's a difficult question that should be discussed, and I would like my students to think about it. They may come up with their own definition, or even realize that there is no perfect definition for it at all. I could see having my students attack this idea with their own artwork by:

• Making satirical comments abou the art market
• Creating two identical pieces and never revealing the original 
• Replicating works that exist (Without getting in trouble on copyrights) 
• Quoting art critics
• Pairing artist's work who were originally enemies (How Monet said Picasso was born to destroy painting)
• Returning to elementary styles
• Photographing other people's art in interesting ways
• Creating multiple replicas or prints of their own work in reference to Warhol (Which print is most valuable?)
• Giving out replicas of their artwork for free
• Placing artwork at a site or on a public area (Landscape, mural, street art)
• Recording performance art for public access

And more!