If you thought that reading this blog entry would provide you with some answers on the “authenticity debate,” I am sorry to tell you that you have come to the wrong place. I have no answers. However, after the thematic discussion that has taken place for over a week now, I do have some real concerns and questions about the subject—especially in the context of today’s fast-paced, technological world.
First and foremost, I have decided that authenticity is a scary concept, especially from a serious artist’s point of view. The reason that I say this is because it would seem that many believe that once an artistic work becomes mainstream, it can no longer sport the authentic label. Authenticity seems am pathetical to popularity. And in the past, where making a work part of mainstream culture was by no means and easy task, this would not seem to present much of a threat to artists who sought to be taken seriously as forever “authentic.” Oh my, how times have changed!
We live in a world today where an artist’s work can be placed before the viewing or listening public within minutes and go viral within hours. The most improbable works can be picked-up and made into iconic (though sometimes ludicrous) symbols (ie: Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up video and the concept of being “Rick rolled” or that awful Friday song that we all love to hate). In the process, the work can become not only inauthentic, but a punchline to jokes. The frightening part from an artists point of view is that they have no control over the process--a process which can in the end, brand them forever. For instance, we have all watched artists lose their fan base and artistic legitimacy because of overplay on the radio. In most cases, this was a result of promotion by the artist. Today however, this can happen DESPITE the artist, even against the artist’s wish.
So what is the answer? Well, the answer is within us—the public. I would argue that we must be willing to judge the authenticity of artists’ work by our own objective standards, and not by how many of our classmates know and love the work. We must be willing to stand-up in a crowded room, and proclaim, “I love Hootie and the Blowfish…and I am OK with that!”
Disclaimer: The idea that popularity precludes authenticity is one that came up in class discussion at various times. I am by no means arguing that MY definition includes this concept. If the shoe fits…you know the rest.
-- Ben Gracey
