What is the power of authenticity in art and how do we preserve it?
German philosopher and critic Walter Benjamin once said, “In the case of the art object, a most sensitive nucleus – namely, its authenticity – is interfered with whereas no natural object is vulnerable on that score. The authenticity of a thing is the essence of all that is transmissible from its beginning, ranging from its substantive duration to its testimony to the history which it has experienced.”
Authenticity has always been precious, appreciated, and powerful. Due to authenticity being treated as a quality intangible, it has always been thought of as something invisible. It is rather the most visible, nuanced quality of an artwork, whether it be a master’s work hanging in an art gallery or a newcomer’s work hanging in a living room. Authenticity in my eyes is equal and fair to every Creator as far as creating something with their abilities purely is concerned. Today, all the authentic, original works that hang in art galleries, offices, homes, public spaces, hotels and so on, around the world have so much value attached to them tangibly and otherwise. Why?
That is much because, as is the context in Walter Benjamin’s essay ‘The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction’, art works have become so accessibly and easily reproducible that even if it isn’t simple, the sheer, evident, possibility being there, is of course of caution and is scary to any Creator ; that the work of art they are producing / creating may not remain one and only forever. There can come multiple reproductions through various channels in the future and thereof.
That is why authenticity as time passes us by, becomes only more and more crucial, thereby more and more powerful. As time and space play a role, so do the timelines and historic testimonies of the work, that rest upon its authenticity, as Benjamin discusses in the essay. There is always a true relationship between time, space, creative prowess as in the context of originality and that of authenticity very much so. The term ‘sensitive nucleus’ is one of the genius ways to describe the essence of authenticity as well as, why authenticity being the essence of a work of art, matters so much. Art galleries also have so much on them due to this power and appeal of authenticity as the case may be for the works and creators they hold and host.
The power of authenticity whether it be abstract paintings, or any form of art will remain undisputedly important and will continue to appeal with its original value and that grace therein, to the people with a keen eye and heart for art. There can be no replacement therefore, to authenticity and no parallel to the quantitative power that authenticity holds, in terms of qualitative strength and say, for a work of art, ever!
About Sparsha By Radhika
Exploring possibilities through a variety of these artistic doors, at Sparsha by Radhika, we explore possibilities with concept and feeling to embed memorable experiences for our clients’ spaces to be energized in the most effective and special ways with our abstract paintings in Bengaluru. We work Pan India and Abroad.
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Radhika is an abstract artist creating abstract paintings based in Bengaluru, servicing abstract art requirements for HNI homes and Commercial Spaces.
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