Walter Benjamin, German philosopher, culture critic, in his writing ‘The work of art in the age of its technological reproducibility’, discusses the relationship between art and the development of technology, the authenticity of reproduction of art in modern ages, the approach taken by artist through new technologies and its impact on art itself.
To begin with, Benjamin states the reproducibility within the work of art, and developed method such as lithography which marked a fundamental new stage in the technology of making mass art products and publications. However, he questions whether this method of making art more accessible to the masses truly captures the authenticity and authority – the here and now, the real existence in a particular tradition – of the art works. The author emphasizes the ‘aura’ and ‘cult’, without which the reproduction could only be realized through the recipient and the copied projects were detached from the original one. Explaining the ‘aura’, the writer also indicates that reproduced work senses for all the sameness from differences, and the way art was reproduced and broadcast certainly changes the way of both thinking and perceptions.
Speaking from the art work itself, it has two opposite values, the cult value which do not seek human’s attention, and the exhibition value which could be used by third party for profit. Gradually human distance themselves from nature, and more advanced technology give people chance to alienate themselves even from themselves.
The author then uses lengthy pages making reference to film-making process, comparing the process to other art forms such as painting, sculpture, magicians and theater-acting. The editing approach forced by filming, the montage art form, exiles film actors from themselves, creates the alienating feeling one facing apparatus, and cross the barrier which exceed a certain social value.
The author points out that new technologies provide new forms and opportunities of viewpoints. It may cause psychotic characters; in the same time, it gives same level of immunization. The forming of art perception and transformation could be highly complex. The author also discusses the perception of architecture, and certain essence such as habit-forming, which could not be fully replaced by technologies.
By showing abstract views though comparing to other form of art, reminding readers the essence in traditional art forms before the existence of publication, the author tends to emphasized the value of work of art lying on authenticity, and remind people see both the benefits and drawbacks brought by technology. Benjamin aim to address his argument to artists, students and general public.
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