The Importance of "Provenance"-Or the Origins of a Piece of "Fine

question 54

Essay

The importance of "provenance"-or the origins of a piece of "fine art" or an antique-has long been a critical component of its value for buyers. The text discusses a similar type of evaluation that occurs depending on the perceived "authenticity" of so-called primitive art. Using the specific example of the art produced by the Pintupi, explain how what is essentially an "invented" way of producing art is marketed as a reflection of the Pintupi's "traditional" culture. Having done that, explain how this "invented tradition" has helped to establish the Pintupi's identity on national and global levels.

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Definitions:

Decentralized Company

A decentralized company allows for decision-making authority to be distributed among various levels within the organization rather than being concentrated at the top.

Decision Making

Choosing among alternative actions; a component inherent in the other management processes of planning, directing, controlling, and improving.

Negotiated Price Approach

An approach to transfer pricing that allows managers of decentralized units to agree (negotiate) among themselves as to the transfer price.

Transfer Price

The price at which goods and services are sold between divisions within the same company.