The Problem of the Copy Without an Original: Appropriationism in Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House
Submitted: 2024-05-13
|Accepted: 2024-11-11
|Published: 2025-04-30
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Keywords:
Copy, appropriation, Mies van der Rohe, forgery, second-hand architecture
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Abstract:
This article examines the issues surrounding copying in contemporary culture by looking at the work of architect Mies van der Rohe. By studying the successive copies of the Farnsworth House, it explores how this practise can be more than simply an act of postmodern homage or mere misappropriation. The case of the German architect’s work demonstrates that new phenomena, such as copying without an original, can emerge, prompting discussions about authorship and contemporary originality. Mies’s attitude towards the reproduction of his work – where he views it as an unparalleled tool for spreading his message – as well as his own practice of self-copying, have taken on an almost prophetic quality over time. This provides a unique perspective for examining the relevance of appropriation across various fields, beyond architecture and art. The article concludes with a reflection on the impact of copying on the interpretation and evolution of modern architecture in relation to the concept of authenticity, and how copying may give rise to new originals.
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