Reproducible Authenticity in a Digital World

What role does the concept of an "authentic" play in our digital age of design and manufacture? In short, not a significant one. Sure, an "authentic" work of art or design is still considered important, especially when it is something that is crafted by hand. For example, an original Picasso is worth far more than a print, and a classic 1963 Pierre Paulin chair, made by Artifort (pictured above), is of much greater value than a similarly styled IKEA chair. Modern design, however, takes into account the fact that we live in a consumer culture, making pieces with reproducibility and a short life span in mind. Walter Benjamin argued that "...the work of art reproduced becomes the work of art designed for reproducibility. From a photographic negative... one can can make any number of prints; to ask for "the authentic" print makes no sense." While he may have argued that well over 50 years ago, it remains true to this day, perhaps even more so due to the advent of digital reproduction, photocopying, and digital cameras. The whole idea of a photograph is to capture a particular moment in time, and be reproduced. If it wasn't meant to be reproduced, there would be no negative. Thus, there is no real original, or "authentic". Everyday objects are the same - most are no longer crafted by hand, but are made by machinery, separated from human contact. These objects, from simple clothing to cars, are also meant to be reproduced, sold to the public for relatively low cost. We live in a consumer culture, and we have to acknowledge that the concept of an "authentic", whether fortunately or unfortunately, is irrelevant.

Craft in a Time of Modernity

Modern, industrialised societies greatly undervalue craft. Artisans, craftsmen and, generally, skilled tradespeople, are part of an ever-shrinking group of people who work with their hands, specifically to make things. The modern, throwaway society that we live in has less appreciation for hand-crafted things than the societies of years past, mainly due to the wide availability, and extremely low cost of mass-manufactured items. That doesn't mean, however, that craft has disappeared from our society altogether. The cultural paradigm is shifting, and in recent years society has become more aware of a need for artisans and craftsmen. The "OneofaKind" Show, held annually in Chicago, New York, and Vancouver, and biannually in Toronto, celebrates the time-honoured tradition of craft, featuring hand-made products from fashion to food, art, and ecologically responsible and sustainable products. The OneofaKind show invites small, independent companies or individuals to exhibit their hand-crafted wares and sell them to the public, creating awareness for local artisans, artists, designers and craftspeople. One such person, Jennifer Jakob (http://www.jenniferjakob.com/), a glass bead maker from Ottawa, creates her own jewellery using her hand-crafted glass beads. The difference between her jewellery and the jewellery available in retail stores is that hers is made by hand, by one person, and her love for beadmaking is evident in her work. Perhaps society doesn't enjoy the higher cost associated with hand-crafted design, but it certainly appreciates the uniqueness and quality of it.