The Truth About Art

A new exhibition by Gucci in Shanghai explores the power of appropriation

- Butool Jamal

Earlier this year, the Egyptian government filed a complaint with UNESCO about a replica of the Great Sphinx of Giza that had surfaced in China’s Hebei province. A full-size copy, it was part of a film set that was later installed at a local theme park. China is known for its mastery with imitation, but it’s clear that the skill extends much beyond copies of luxury fashion goods.

Last month in October, Gucci took a group of journalists to the Yuz Museum Shanghai for the opening of its latest exhibition, The Artist is Present. Curated by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, the title is borrowed from a 2012 performance piece by Marina Abramovic. Gucci’s exhibition poster even features a portrait of the Serbian artist herself. Does that make it an homage or an imitation? This is the question Cattelan took as the premise of his show: The relationship between copying and creation, reality and representation.