FINAL #8 Mechanical Reproduction Flashcards
Focuses on Walter Benjamin and the Mechanical Reproduction lecture.
1
Q
Walter Benjamin *
A
- Wrote the essay discussing how the mechanical reproduction and how it has changed our ideas on art.
- In the 1900’s big changes during this time affected the idea of art
> printing press, camera, and film - Printing press bring art to the viewer… kills aura
- B/c of this he believes that art is about politics
2
Q
aura
A
- It is the authenticity of an object (or painting) relating to a unique place and time.
- during the mechanical age the “aura” dies
- This is b/c in being able to reproduce an image this allows the art to be able to come to people instead of the people having to come to it.
- In the past artwork were held in cathedrals or museums… people had to go to these places to see it.
> This associated the art with religion creating a magical feeling around this object (art)… aka aura… - When the mechanical age comes forth the need to go to these places disappears… The magic (aka aura) also disappears.
3
Q
Other ideas on printing press
A
- Printing press huge impact both spatially and temporally.
> Spatially b/c now art can come to the people vs the people having to go to the art….art is now in service of the viewers.
> Temporally b/c artwork is removed from historical state. - This loss of context is a loss of the aura.
4
Q
Art is about politics
A
- art is now political not religious.
> Now it is away from cathedrals and the in public space… it can effect in many ways - BUT it can be dangerous and liberating that art is in homes.
- He relates it to the futurist and fascism.
> Gov’t allows freedom of expression through art… can’t change anything but at least you can express yourself… becomes art for arts sake.
> expression becomes all about self… this causes in alienation of self.
> B/c no change then there is destruction… but in expressing the destruction we find the beauty… we are then pleased with the destruction. - Futurists say only true way to express self is through war… brings aesthetics to politics.
