Authenticity

This work features a Chinese porcelain vase from the Ming Dynasty as it would appear in an auction catalogue, complete with lot number, description and estimated price. By tampering with the “shou”  character for longevity as shown on the vase, Yipang examines the notion of authenticity and how it is inextricably linked to the ways objects are being presented and contextualised. The vase in question is obviously a fake. In fact, the “shou” character has been replaced by the word “selfie” written in reverse English. Some forgeries, however, can fool even experts. 

In a sea of fakes and forgeries, authenticity is one of the most important aspects in which the reputation of auction houses is grounded. But even the best auction houses and museums occasionally are in the news over fakes, forgeries and looted items. The very publicity associated with such cases suggests that authenticity clearly is not 100% assured.