Bumble: 2/5 post class

Authenticity… WHAT IS IT!?

I was thinking about how we define something that is authentic? For the most part we assume something is authentic based on the setting or environment of the object.

Take art for example, none of us with our untrained and armed eye would be able to look at a piece of art and say, “that is the original.” If we see a poster with a Monet painting on it, sure we assume that it is a “fake.” We would define it by what it is not, that it is NOT an original.

Setting absolutely effects our perception of the quality of the work. Last year we had Matisse paintings in the Cornell Fine Arts Museum. I was not inclined to believe that they were the originals simply because they were in this museum. However, I was not entirely sure. I remember staring at them for what seemed like an eternity. Sometimes I thought they were prints, other times I felt certain that they were original. That skeptisicm I had was because of the setting. If those paintings were placed in the Metroplotian Museum of Art, or the MOMA, they 150% hands down would be “real, authentic” Matisse artwork. If there were a so to speak “knock-off” Van Gogh in the Met, would any patron visiting go up to the painting and say, “hey that’s not authentic!” No, because we make assumptions based on our location. Just as we were talking about the Izod shirt being bought in Macys, or on the street, we are quick to assume people are telling the truth or that it is authentic, but WHO ACTUALLY KNOWS!? Credibility comes from a perceived notion that someone has authority and greater understanding of a situation than others.

Another interesting point in class was expanding my vision that food is a form of art. How often do we opt for the mass produced, large bulk quantity of food at a super center like COSCO? COSCO is the master of mass production; it is a place that takes away from the authenticity or the aura of the original. A good way of looking at the mass production of food, restaurants, or take out; is by seeing that the aura of the authentic would be the home cooked meal. The sensation of the smells wafting through the kitchen, the cookies… We do not get that with microwave meals; we do not get our hands dirty and create authentic food. Microwave food is full of things to make it almost “fake.” They can last forever without spoiling, is this real?

I am torn in this because while living in a society and culture that values time efficiency, I feel like I need to stay speedy, eat hastily, nuke my food in the microwave. At the same time, I have a profound love of the cooking channel, to take my time, appreciate the art of cooking and the authentic aura or “AROMA” of the food. There is NOTHING that can replace that essence of good cuisine!