Perception of authenticity of tourist art among Native American artists in Santa Fe, New Mexico

✍ Scribed by Naho U. Maruyama; Tsu-Hong Yen; Amanda Stronza

• Book ID: 102445456
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2008
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 198 KB
• Volume: 10
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1099-2340
• DOI: 10.1002/jtr.680

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

This study investigated the authenticity of tourist art from the perspectives of Native American artists in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In‐depth interviews with nine artists revealed that authenticity of art for the artists strongly relates to the traditional manufacturing process. Indeed, the artists alter their art piece's exterior to appeal to tourists while also adhering to the traditional process of manufacture. Rather than connoting a loss of authenticity, they identify the process as an “enlargement” of the culture. The challenge for the artists is to improve understanding of the significance of the manufacturing process among tourists and younger generations of artists. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.