Forgery, perhaps only because I am more and more interested in it, seems to be of increasing interest to the public. An exhibition of the works by the subject of the film F for Fake, Elmyr de Hory, is currently on display in Minnesota. De Hory's protege and inheritor (oddly named Forgy), has launched the show of his "friend's" works, including one authentic artist's work and dozens of de Hory's fakes. This article discusses the relationship between the two. I think I admire art forgers, for their artistic skill mostly, but I also wonder how satisfying it can be to copy someone else's work all your life. Is money a motivation, or pride, or something else? Perhaps I should start trying to write "lost" Gaddis novels and see how it goes. Somehow there's a difference between that and an art forgery.
Basil Valentine would approve.
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