The Problem of the Copy Without an Original: Appropriationism in Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House

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Accepted: 2024-11-11

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Published: 2025-04-30

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4995/vlc.2025.21721
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Keywords:

Copy, appropriation, Mies van der Rohe, forgery, second-hand architecture

Supporting agencies:

This research was not funded

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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