UC Irvine

Plaster casts typically based on well known artworks were displayed in European and American museums and galleries prior to the twentieth century. Though popular, these plaster casts were never seen to be equivalent in value to the original, authentic pieces. In recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in plaster casts and many museums collections have been pulling casts out of storage to put on display. Current usage of casts in European and American museums is overwhelmingly for educational use, as they allow the public to view art from all around the world. However, it is clear from the way that they are presented that casts are not seen as art. The Akropolis Museum in Athens, Greece may be taken as an exception to this way of thinking as the museum and its curators have placed plaster casts of the Parthenon sculptures alongside the authentic marble sculptures. The integration of casts alongside original sculptures in their Parthenon exhibit works as an educational and political tool. This choice of positioning allows them to be misinterpreted by visitors who are ignorant of the Parthenon's history; under the gaze of these visitors, the status of these casts has been elevated to that of art. While casts are still viewed as a form of replication, the Akropolis stands as an exception that begs the question of how casts may be used in the future and what this means for their status as art.