Site Specific Art

I found Miwon Kwan's articles to be interesting, easy to understand, and insightful. In the first chapter, he discusses how a variety of influences can effect artwork, operating as a "site." Before reading this article, I would not have considered anything but location to contribute to or make artwork "site specific." Yet, I was interested to read Kwon's thoughts on what is classified as site specific. The discussion of Mary Haacke's performance art was especially interesting and unique for me as well as the commentary on the environment museums create and must maintain. I was able to realize the extent to which culture, politics, and others factors are constantly influencing and providing contexts for artwork.Although, I do not understand the discussion of museum space as public versus private on pae 19. Are museums considered private or public space and what exactly is Haacke commenting on in terms of this issue with her labor based performance art?
In the second chapter, Kwon describes how the concept of "Site specific" art evolved over the years: "Site specific (art) has come to mean 'movable under the right circumstances" (38). The discussion that ensues caught my attention, because it raised the question of authorship. If a work of art can be recreated and commodified by another person identically, then what is the importance of the original artist if their work is not unique and difficult to create. Should only credit be given for the idea rather than the creation?
Reproduction encompassed a large portion of the second chapter. Does a work of art lose meaning, uniqueness, and interest if it can be reproduced? Kwon argues it does, giving examples of the commission of artists like Fred Wilson who recreate the same exhibit in two different places, producing two widely polarized results. I feel reproduction allows more observers to enjoy the art, yet I do see how reproduction reduces the interest, rarity and hype surrounding artwork. I would be interested in reading someone's perspective regarding their experience with observing and viewing a commissioned artists identical exhibit in multiple locations and the affects the change in scenery perceiveably have on the artwork. Do the surrounding people also contribute to one's interpretation and interaction with the artwork?