“The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction” by Walter Benjamin explores how the emergence of technologies such as film and photography changed art, its production, and its response. A passage from the reading that stood out to me was the concept of aura, which refers to the distinctive atmosphere or presence of a work of art. He describes it as “the technique of reproduction [that] detaches the reproduced object from the domain of tradition. By making many reproductions it substitutes a plurality of copies for a unique existence”. (page 221) Back then, traditional art like sculptures and paintings had an aura derived from context and originality. But with newer mechanical reproduction, art can be mass-produced, destroying its uniqueness and aura. I agree with Benjamin’s statement since seeing an exclusive work of art in person can feel greatly different than seeing an image of the art online. Personally, I enjoy visiting museums and viewing the art in person, because of its authenticity and unique presence. As I continued to read Benjamin’s writing, I noticed the democratization of art can be viewed as a double-edged sword. Although reproduced art detaches the art from its original context, it becomes accessible to a broader audience, fostering new ways of perceiving and consuming art.
Introduction to New Media Arts
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