Reproduction of art: new dimensions

Walter Benjamin in this timeless essay touches the very essence of art and not only defines what makes an art piece good, he gives a new meaning to its authenticity and gives a glimpse to what happens to art in the age of mass reproduction. Benjamin states that what makes art valuable is its authenticity, its existence in a certain space and time that gives it its value. Benjamin uses the term “Aura” to describe this to describe the physical and situational state of an art piece in a certain space and time. Aura is something that grants Authenticity and gives the art piece its inherent value. Aura is an ensemble of historical and situational background workings that give the art piece its “one-timeness”. Benjamin argues the mass reproduction of art diminishes and drains it from its aura from the art itself, it is not the same piece of art anymore, it has changed into something more. If we are to apply this reasoning to our current state of the art it would be easier for us to understand what Benjamin meant by his notion of Aura and Authenticity.

Art in itself has changed a lot from the time Benjamin posted his essay. Art was used to express spiritual and philosophical ideas of the time the artist was living in, but right now, it transcended this meaning and transformed into something more inclusive. Art now has become a political statement, not just an artistic expression. It has become a tool to bring people together, or tear them apart. The aura of an art piece diminishes with mass reproduction as Benjamin states, but he makes an effort to shed light on what replaces that aura, and to him that replacement is artistic exhibition. This exhibition gives way for the art to be enjoyed by a larger number of people across the entire world. Modern art has transcended the traditional definitions of art, and gives way to new forms of art distribution. The Mona Lisa’s face is now up plastered all over the word with new expressions, emojis are the new hieroglyphs and Banksy’s murals replaced Da Vinci’s murals in Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan

One thought on “Reproduction of art: new dimensions

  • December 18, 2021 at 6:52 pm
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    I love the emoji thing. It is very insightful! Do you think that the fact that the Mona Lisa’s face is”plastered all over the word with new expressions” is positive or negative?

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