// new media class

‘The Veil of St. Veronica plc’ has certified and ensured the ownership and value of the work of Francisco de Zurbaran, the Veil of St. Veronica of which this company is the namesake, through bio-manufactured DNA, coupled with contemporary, cryptographic engineering.

The painting’s unique DNA code, bio engineered and safeguarded by theveilofstveronica.plc, provides a means for the code, rather than the painting’s material manifestation, to act as a gold standard for the floated value of its shares.

As DNA secured crypto-authentication ensures the value of this work of art, possession of the work alone has no monetary value. only a DNA sample can be a claim of ownership and a means for profit.’

This speculative scenario for the future of art appreciation and ownership addresses the agency of the concept of aura upon this field; the effect that it has had and could continue to have.

The choice of the Veil of St. Veronica as the scenario’s contextual foundation is due to its significance as an ‘echo chamber’ of aura, a veritable multi layered embodiment of the apparent need for authenticity, as a requirement for validation. The depiction of the religious relic, itself depicting the vague outline of the face of Christ, imprinted on Veronica’s veil as he sweated and bled his way to Calvary; a symbolic example of the role of biological presence, as the grounds for validity, authenticity, value and appreciation.