Walter Benjamin suggests that ‘reproduction lacks the unique existence at the place where it happened, therefore robbing art of its history’ but is the origin of art in the mind of the creator or in the actual production or form? Although we recognize that without the form it would never become public, it seems that the evolution of media and art is something that cannot be stopped. As long as man exists the continual development of expression and imagination will be an ongoing process. History would indicate that as human beings, there will always be the debate between the comfort of what we have come to know and experience, as being the only authentic expression while the pursuit of new ways is resisted, and seen as a threat to what once was. Is the beauty of one piece of art diminished by an additional concept expressed by another? Is it possible to appreciate each for its own uniqueness and gift? - One of the opening quotes in the article, “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction” by Paul Valery says, “In all the arts there is a physical component which can no longer be considered or treated as it used to be, which cannot remain unaffected by our modern knowledge and power. For the last twenty years neither matter nor space nor time has been what it was from time immemorial. We must expect great innovations to transform the entire technique of the arts, thereby affecting artistic invention itself and perhaps even bringing about an amazing change in our very notion of art.”Paul Valéry, Pièces sur L’Art, 1931Le Conquete de l’ubiquite
When Walter Benjamin speaks about the aura of the work of art, he says “what is jeopardized when historical testimony is affected, is the authority of the object”, “mechanical reproduction may not touch the actual work of art yet quality of its presence is always depreciated,” “in permitting the reproduction to meet the beholder or listener in his own particular situation, it re-activates the object reproduced.” My father was a school teacher for many years and taught about San Marco Square in Venice Italy to his year 7 students, but when he stood in that place he could not stop the tears from running down his face because he never dreamed of being there and experiencing the beauty and the history for himself. Perhaps it was the reproduced images that fed my dad’s knowledge, that created such a heightened experience for him that day. Perhaps is some ways the AURA can be enhanced by some forms of reproduction.
Another quote in chapter 3 "the adjustment of reality to the masses and of the masses to reality is a process of unlimited scope, as much for thinking as for perception" brings a challenge to our society in that there seems to be less and less control over the impact that these developments are having on our sociey. We are dependent on the free choice of the individual to either contribute in a positive or a negative way.
I agree with the concepts introduced by Walter Benjamin in chapter 15 in talking about participation and film, where he states that “the masses seek distraction whereas art demands concentration from the spectator.” The intensity of our lifestyles is wearing people out to the point where they cannot think, do not want to think, and just want a break from the worries that consume them. We then become drawn to things that require no attention and allow us to be absent minded but would we be better to re-evaluate the quality of our lives and take responsibility for what drives us to have such a response, rather than criticise the medium that produces the escape.
For more details read the full article through this link:
Walter Benjamin, The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction
Some side issues to consider...
Digital media has opened the door to a whole new range of talents with varied expressions of 'art'. I am unable to stand in front of an amazing original painting and not be mesmerissed by the intricate skill that has manifest itself in such a beautiful way and hold the artist in such high regard but I am equally in awe of the professional and skilled contribution that a person through video or music can make to the viewer or receiver. I do not believe that ANYONE can create these things but that it still requires an artist's approach in order to be significant and have an impact.
Is a photoshopped image authentic? My daughter just got married a few weeks ago and the photographer is a true artist, prefering to take images as they happen and capture the event rather than stage it, but also in his reproduction he is able to through the means of modern technology offer each print to us in either black & white or colour, leaving the window open for us to consider which best captures the moment and event or is simply a preference of taste. In this instance photoshop has allowed the viewer to measure the artistic value. To be able to crop an image or capture the light more fully I don't believe has changed the authenticity of the day as I recall it.
No comments:
Post a Comment