Could you tell the difference between the original and a well made replica of the Mona Lisa? I absolutely couldn't.
I get what you're saying, and I understand why we (in the west at least) believe it matters, but should it, really?
I get what you're saying, and I understand why we (in the west at least) believe it matters, but should it, really?
In a rebuilt temple there is an artistic value, but the main interest is not there. Is in the occupation of the place. "We were able to fight against the countless attempts of other people willing to displace us and use the soil in their own interests. This proves that we are a strong and successful community".
Behind the art lies a political game and a fight for power. Everything else is replaceable.
In fact improving the place is a basic strategy to keep the appeal to the public what pays for this and rebuild ASAP is essential to keep the place in the same hands and the money flowing.
Paintings like the Mona Lisa are powerful in a more subtle way. Can't be linked directly with political parties or kingdoms; Is just an anonymous woman. The main theme here is celebrating femininity.
So is much more powerful than "just another Buda statue bigger than those from Shelbyville". Unlike a local religion Mona Lisa can connect easily with the entire humanity.
Old paintings can be symbols of power also, but people normally don't give the same value to "this wall of the room has been always occupied by identical copies of a painting of a woman in the last 1000 years". A photo does not have the same value as a painting.
Even if you could not see / proof the one picture being the real one, their believe is rock solid that the original has higher (emotional) value.
The idea that the original hand, in the original moment, with the original intentions made one object and the not the other, is of paramount importance.
YMMV.
I absolutely understand their viewpoint, even if I may not believe it myself.
Yet, this does not mean the viewer shall have the same perspective. For them, the stimulus, not the source, may be more important.
The historical artifact aspect of art is quite similar and to many people equally important.