3 Fake objects and real experiences
Over the next three weeks, you will look at the discussion of the restoration thesis in Robert Elliot’s classic article ‘Faking Nature’. You will do this in the company of a range of experts from philosophy and architectural history.
You will begin by examining a phenomenon that is entirely a matter of being a ‘copy’ rather than an authentic original, and explore what people might enjoy about it. The video below was filmed in early 2017, and looks at ‘The Guns N Roses Experience’; a ‘tribute band’ who perform as if they were the iconic rock band Guns N Roses.
Activity 2
Watch the following video and make some notes in the text boxes below under the three headings. You can compare your notes to the feedback for each question.
Transcript: Tribute band: The Guns N Roses Experience
[BAND PLAYING]
[BAND SINGING]
[PLAYING ELECTRIC GUITAR]
[PLAYING ELECTRIC GUITAR]
[PLAYING BASS GUITAR]
[BAND PLAYING]
[BAND PLAYING]
[BAND PLAYING]
[CHEERS, APPLAUSE]
[CHUCKLES]
[BAND PLAYING]
[LAUGHS]
[BAND PLAYING]
[CHEERS, APPLAUSE]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
- What can a tribute band provide for its audience?
Answer
- a.Unlike the original band, the tribute band is available, cheaper, and enables the audience to have a good night out they might otherwise not have had.
- b.The quality of the music is good.
- c.The band performs the tracks that the audience wants to hear, which the original band might not do anymore.
- What can a tribute band not provide for its audience?
Answer
- a.The magic of the original band – atmosphere cannot be recreated.
- Why would someone think the original band was better than the tribute band?
Answer
- a.The work actually belongs to the original band. They created the music – the tribute band just copies them. There is something incredible about the original.