In the text "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical reproduction", by Benjamin Walker, he is discussing the different ways to view replication of art. He starts off the text by briefing over the development of art throughout the years; from sculptures to lithography to film. Walker is stating the evolution of only being able to portray in art a stand still moment in time that has happened in the past, to being able to illustrate everyday life, and now our ability to be artistic through live film; He provides a different way of viewing the development of our artistic abilities throughout the years.
Walker delves on the issue of art replication. He brings up the question of wether or not mad made art can be replicated by man. We now have mechanical replication, which allows us to not only see but even touch and own duplicates of the worlds most famous pieces of art. Walker believes that the thing missing in the reproduction of art is not in how it looks but rather lies within the aura, tradition and presence of the piece. I agree with this idea completely, for I think that no picture or duplication of art can completely capture the greater feeling of seeing a famous piece of art first hand.
I grew up in a community where art was always a required class for me to take each year. Numerous pictures of Michaelangelo's famous sculpture, "David" were exposed to me in each class my whole life. Although I thought I had seen the sculpture many times before, absolutely nothing compared to seeing it in person. Walker is completely right when he states that, "even the most perfect reproduction of a work of art is lacking in one element" its presence in time and space, its unique existence at the place where it happens to be" (Walker, 20). Walker couldn't have said it more right. Although I had known that "David" was a moving sculpture from the 1500's, seeing its powerful size right where it was in Italy made the entire aura of the sculpture come together. Art takes on a personality that can not be duplicated even with the best technology. I agree with Walker's analysis on the powerful effect a unique aura can have on art.
I agree with a lot of the points you have made. When I was 16, I took a high school course in Italy for the summer. We took a trip to Rome and went to see the statue of David. I recall being in awe of such a beautifully striking sculpture. The emotions that I felt that day and the new appreciation I gained is not something that can be captured in a photo. That day, I went to the store inside the museum and bought some post-cards of the statue of David, which I still have. Looking at these postcards, I realize that they cannot truly capture the essence of the statue and the aura that surrounds it. There is most certainly a loss of aura through the mechanical reproduction of art. With film and photography, you can only visualize the art that is being captured; all of the other senses are left ignored.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, in his essay “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction”, Walter Benjamin makes an interesting point about how historical value is lost through this reproduction by means of technology. Meaning can be reproduced and altered from its original intent. Benjamin also states “reproduction as offered by picture magazines and news reels differs from the image seen by the unarmed eye” (22). I agree with this notion that the uniqueness is lost as we strive to reproduce objects. Our experience and reactions thereby become altered. For example think about when you read a book for the first time and later it is reproduced into a film. Prior to viewing the film, your imagination helped create an idea of what the characters would look like and act like. I know for myself, my reactions are much stronger as the book is thoroughly descriptive and takes more time to get the reader involved and attached to the story. Once I go see the re-produced version in a movie, my imagination has become limited as I am told what the characters look like. Also, meanings are altered from what I originally thought them to be. I always find that the book which provides me with that initial experience is better than the movie that takes away the original aura.
-ChachilovesJoanie