This week in class we went over Benjamin’s essay titled “Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.” The part that I took from the reading was when we went over a quote from page 23. Benjamin explains that “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). We then expanded on this and talked about this idea with the entire group. Our class came up with some examples that we could find in society that define this idea. We talked about how people buy original artworks for status. The more expensive or popular the piece of artwork is, and then the person who bought the piece feels that they are a higher status.
We then talked about how the piece becomes a part of someone’s portfolio. It becomes part of their life and the importance of the piece is recognized by others and associated with the person who owns it. It takes away from the ritual of the piece of just being a great work of art that people can look at and enjoy.
The third main point that we got from this quote is the fact that art in our culture is when a bunch of people says it is. We talked about some artworks do not really look like they could be art but if one person comes along and says it is art and get people to follow that idea than it usually is considered art in our culture.
I thought by going over this quote in class got me a way better understanding of what this quote really means. If this was not discussed thoroughly I would not have fully understood what this concept was all about.
“On my honor I have not given, nor received, nor witnessed any unauthorized assistance on this work.”
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