Authenticity and the Immersive Experience

This is "The Artist Looks at Nature", by Charles Sheeler. As soon as I saw that he took the picture on page 395 I knew I needed to incorporate this image somehow. It is my favorite painting. It's displayed in Chicago's Art Institute, in the early-20th century-American-painters section, amongst paintings like "American Gothic" and "Nighthawks." Scheeler was an artist at the forefront of the modernist movement, categorized by its precision in form- specifically, depicting the rigid lines of the newly forming industrialized landscape. There are other paintings that showcase this better. What I find truly interesting in this picture is Scheeler's interpretation of interpretation. Look closely at the picture the artist is drawing; it doesn't resemble the landscape it comes from. The contrast in color and shape suggest that either the man in question is not even considering the space he is in, or is simply moved by it in a way that is independent of its actual form. Perhaps the lines of the man-made plateaus he is perched on suggest the sturdiness of a brick house. Regardless of this particular character's drawing, Scheeler is suggesting that an artist interpreting his or her surroundings can ever actually duplicate the space. Whether that be intentional or unintentional, it has an effect on what the audience views. Suddenly that work only becomes truly and utterly authentic to the artist himself.
Now, when we look at The Ford Museum we see this interesting play between authenticity and a desire to educate. The museum's mission describes their goal, it

‘provides unique educational experiences based on authentic objects, stories and lives from America’s traditions of ingenuity, resourcefulness and innovation. Our purpose is to inspire people to learn from these traditions to help shape a better future’

And it's true, the reenactments sought to be authentic. They wore the dress, and accurately the roles that are prescribed to them. But it's hard to ignore these modern people wandering about between you. The actor must make a choice, a very conscious choice to ignore the modern era. They interpret their current situation to not be a village plopped in modern Michigan, but a thriving community of the late 19th century. Is this truly authentic though? Right now, I wouldn't say "My facebook addiction is fueled by a 20th century adherence to technology and intercommunication." to anyone standing near by. So authentic may not be the right word. I've been quite the nitpicker this semester on words on their definitions, and I realize authentic doesn't necessarily mean adhering to every detail. Though Pullman might not have been an authentically ideal town because of its constructed values, one can't deny its role as a pseudo-utopian community. I just think it's important to recognize that any reenactments, whether they be in historical villages or on stage come with ideals and experiences true to the age in which it is being interpreted. This is where the actor plays the role of Sheeler's artist; this actor can choose to be as true to the original image as they choose. In the case of a museum like The Ford Museum though, the actor must strive to ignore all other biases.