WORD-AUTHENTICITY

According to Merriem-Webster there are several definitions of AUTHENTICITY.

1. Worthy of acceptance of belief as conforming to or based on fact. ; conforming to an original so as to reproduce essential features ; made or done the same way as an original

2. Not false or imitation.

According to Walter Benjamin, authenticity is the “highly sensitive core,” (254) of art.

“The authenticity of a thing is the quintessence of all that is transmissible in it from its origin on, ranging from its physical duration to the historical testimony relating to it,” (254).

Benjamin Walter is concerned that technological reproductions will tamper with the genuine authenticity of a piece of art. A sort of twisted hybrid of the two definitions given by Merriem-Webster; technological reproductions have the potential to be so close to the originals that the reproductions will transform into the worst sort of false imagery.