Authenticity and Memory

The bachelor's thesis "Authenticity and Memory" is concerned with the changing notion of "authenticity" in contemporary memory institutions. Based on an exploration of expert texts, it aims to map the occurrence of the term, apparently a key one in the field of conservation and preservation. The thesis briefly addresses the fields of care for historical monuments, traditional record archives, audiovisual archives and also museum management. The practice of memorial institutions and their understanding of the term "authenticity" are analyzed with regard to the issues of authorities, digitization of collections and ethical grounds on which these institutions base their activities. A special emphasis is put on the area of preservation of media art. The thesis further examines authenticity in the field of media art from the point of view of it's "performativity", while at the same time taking into account the possibility to apply the concept of performativity to other art forms