The Philosopher's Arms

What Makes a Fake a Fake?

Aug 16, 2013
Brad LaHaw, a practising painter who remakes and prints artworks, and Nigel Warburton, a philosopher of aesthetics, debate reproduction, authorship and how origin shapes value. They explore appearance versus reality, cases like Duchamp and Hitler, branding and neuroscience studies on expectation. Short, lively conversations about whether copies can equal or surpass originals.
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INSIGHT

Appearance Versus Artistic Reality

  • Philosophers use the original vs appearance gap to probe what we value about art.
  • Nigel Warburton ties the problem to Plato's cave and asks whether value lies in the hand of the artist or in mere appearance.
ANECDOTE

Copying Van Gogh Is Gutsy And Depressing

  • Antonia Williams describes copying Van Gogh as painstaking and 'depressing' because of coarse brushstrokes and garish colours.
  • She estimates her copies would convince about 95% of gallery visitors, illustrating practical forgery skill limits.
INSIGHT

Aesthetic Sameness Versus Market Rarity

  • Arthur Danto's view: if two artworks look the same aesthetically, either may suffice for aesthetic appreciation.
  • Nigel uses this to separate aesthetic sameness from rarity-driven market value differences.
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