A Crackle on the Surface

This episode explores a small crackle - and some big questions around what it means to be an “original” work and what it means to be a “fake”. Together with art historian Marjolijn Bol we travel from her garden to the vibrant markets of Indonesia and Africa. What can dazzling gems, intricate Batik patterns, and other material tell us about the power of imitation? Are “fake” and “original” always on opposite ends? Can a simple “crackle" in a material have value? This story delves into how our understanding of materials shape our connection to them. This episode is based on the book chapter "Imitating Crackles: Material Mimesis in Stones and Textiles" by Marjolijn Bol in the volume "Ownership of Knowledge. Beyond Intellectual Property". This volume is published under Open Access Licensing. Read online for free by clicking on the links above. Learn more at: www.knownable.org This podcast series is produced by the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science. Moderation: Emily Tsui Editorial and Production Management: Verena Braun Episode writer: Lucy Ruth Salmon Storyediting: Verena Braun, Stephanie Hood Production: Verena Braun, Emily Tsui Editing and Sound Mastering: Lucy Ruth Salmon, Niclas Look, Verena Braun Music: Little Strut Surprise by Podington Bear, edited, CC BY-NC 3.0