On Authenticity, Acquisition, and the Secret Lives of Objects
The article discusses the significance of objects and their histories in relation to authenticity and acquisition. It highlights how the meaning of artifacts can be overshadowed by ownership and authority, leading to a loss of their original purpose. The conversation also touches on the subjective nature of historical narratives and the evolving understanding of artifacts in contemporary archaeology.
- ▪Objects carry their own stories and histories that reflect creation, love, and change.
- ▪The act of ownership often diminishes the original meaning and purpose of artifacts.
- ▪Historical narratives are subjective and constantly evolving, influenced by new discoveries and biases.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
As a sculptor, I love an archive, especially when it is filled with objects that refuse to be silenced. Each piece carries the sediment of its own story. They have witnessed creation, love, use, violence, change, transition, oblivion, aggression, and adoration. Their histories are nearly made invisible through age, and yet they remain glaringly present when we take the time to look. Each object was made by someone, with a precise intention—to embody a necessary purpose, once held in relation to a community.Article continues after advertisement Now, that function feels distant, almost inaccessible. In our culture of acquisition, the act of making and the meaning it once held are worn down, replaced by possession.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Literary Hub.
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