Week 3 Blog 3
Walter Benjamin explains how technological advances in the 1930s affected how people viewed and processed art in his essay The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.Another thing is the growing popularity of photography and filmmaking, this was a time where machines began to replace many daily tasks and manufacturing positions. All of this led some artists to believe that machine-made art was replacing authentic, genuine works of art.
Benjamin thought that art formerly had a unique quality that he known as its "aura." This implied that the original work had a certain history or feeling that gave it a distinct quality. However, that unique sense vanished when robots began reproducing art, such as repeatedly printing the same picture or painting. In 1936, he stated, "The work of art's unique existence determined the history to which it was subject throughout its time of existence." Art loses its sense of originality when it is imitated excessively.
Benjamin also considered how all of this new technology might alter people's behavior and possibly be used by governments to manipulate the populace. Prior to World War II, when fascism and communism were on the rise, he witnessed this taking place. He claimed that while technology and machinery could benefit society in certain ways, they could also undermine the significance and impact of art. "Mechanical reproduction of art alters the public's response to art," he wrote. The social impact of this kind of integration is enormous. The line between public critique and enjoyment becomes more apparent the more an art form's social relevance declines (Benjamin, 1936).
Many of Benjamin's points are still relevant today, despite the fact that he wrote this a long time ago. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machines can now create movies, music, and artwork, which can be very useful but also detracts from originality and creativity. Machines are making art easier, but not always more meaningful, as Benjamin predicted.
Sources:
Benjamin, W., & Zohn, H. (2018). The work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction : an influential essay of cultural criticism; the history and theory of art. Adansonia Press.
https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/183769/pages/unit-3-resources?module_item_id=6671239
https://www.ted.com/talks/hod_lipson_builds_self_aware_robots.html
https://www.ted.com/talks/dennis_hong_my_seven_species_of_robot.html
Hi Solomone, Your analysis of Walter Benjamin’s concepts in The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction was excellent! Your summary of his idea of the “aura” and how mass reproduction weakens was very interesting. Benjamin’s theories are still relevant today, which is made clear in your evidence when you related them to modern technology like AI-generated music and films.
ReplyDeleteThe section where you mentioned how governments use technology to control people really got me thinking. That link to fascism and communism in Benjamin’s day gets me thinking about how algorithms still influence our perception of the world and material view today. Even while the political repercussions of algorithmic or automated art are today more nuanced they are still very potent.
Thank you for a great post. It really made me reflect.
Paige