The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction

Key Question: To what extent do you agree with the sense of alienation that Benjamin associates with mechanically reproduced art like film? 

Benjamin’s use of Paul Valery’s opening quote establishes the modern disconnect between art and it’s original physical value. Valery believes new methods of craft (more precisely methods of reproduction) threaten what is defined as “the Beautiful” as the essence of originality is jeopardized by what can be technically reproduced. This being said, art itself has been redefined through our perception of it’s intrinsic value.

Benjamin develops Valery’s observation through providing different examples of reproduction techniques in relation to an artworks physical and traditional identity. The physical value is determined by its’ “presence in time and space”. This being said, the concept of authenticity plays a key role in determining an artworks value. By proving an artwork is the original version, you must physically analyze it, which gives firstness a physical value. This is interesting as  the techniques for reproduction and forensic analysis have both evolved to combat each other. Regardless the nature of an artworks originality and how we attest it reveals we place indirect value on the processes rather then the final product. 

Benjamin does a great job of linking his ideas to historical precedent; when speaking of arts aura and its decline in the contemporary he introduces the concept of the Ritual with examples such as the Greeks statue of Venus and how no matter it's original purpose be it (magical or religious) its connection to ritual enriches its aura and gives it uniqueness. Benjamin says”artistic production begins with ceremonial objects destined to serve in a cult”

Here he discusses the shift that reproduction has caused the change from cult value to exhibition value.

Benjamin examines two primary forms of media in his article that serve to illustrate the changing nature of art photography & cinema. The latter of which he goes into great detail explaining the details and the new realities in this medium, how for example the audience observes more critically and testing since we are observing the film through an actual lenses. This testing goes against the ritual and serves as evidence for Benjamin that mechanical reproduction has helped separate art from its basis in the cult.