9/19/10

In last weeks lecture on Benjamin’s work, we learned that art and our perspective of art in today’s world is not what it used to be. Our concept of value has certainly decreased and our appreciation for fine art is almost non- existent. “Reproduction….differs from the image seen by unharmed eye” (22). With so much reproduction of products taking place today, the notion of authenticity gets put into question. Our constant use of reproduction has taken away from the arts true history and ritual. Although this loss of value is taking place, people today are unaware that there is any loss at all. We are so caught up in the costs and profits that we lose what true value of art is all about. “The instant the criterion of authenticity ceases to be applicable to artistic production the total function of art is reversed. Instead of being based on ritual, it begins to be based on another practice-politics” (23). Like Benjamin states in this quote, when ritual and original value cease to exist, then art becomes a commodity. Over the years, there has been a blatant shift in value. Where art used to be about the ritual and aura of a product, today it’s all about the costs. As said by the Frankfurt school, “Culture should not be sold this way.” Even though new forms of fine art surround us today, there value is automatically decreased by the increase in its costs. Original art with high costs now loses its value because they have become apart of a market system. A good example of this would be the hobby of buying art or “art collectors.” While some may have true appreciation for the artist and their work, other may be purchasing art solely to flaunt their money and improve their social status. The people who partake in this type of hobby have no true care about the arts value, but instead only care about the benefits it will bring them.

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