I think that any recreation of an original piece of art is a bit sad because it takes away from the purpose of the authentic work. An artist spends lots of work and time to create something that is meaningful to them, for others to experience. I think replicating artwork offends that special process to an extent. Regardless, the media has made it so really any artwork we know about, we have seen a replica before the real work every time. I think that it reaches an unethical standard when art is replicated in ways that degrade its meaning. For example, I think that something like a hair-tie, preferably something else wearable like a t-shirt or a tote bag, is ethically produced because it still shows off the artists work in a way where it can be expressed and interpreted. However, something like a place mat seems disrespectful. There, the artwork has no purpose, and is covered by plates and spilled food. I can’t decide how I feel about the plates, because plates can often be art themselves.
