Introduction
In “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction”, Walter Benjamin discusses how the invention of photography and other mechanical reproduction forms has changed how people perceive works of art.
Discussion
Previously, artworks were seen as unique objects symbolizing the “aura of originality”, which refers to the unique, individualized experience of encountering a work of art in person. This experience is lost when the work is reproduced mechanically through technologies like photography or printing. However, with the ability to mass-produce copies of artworks, the aura is lost, and the documents are seen as inferior to the originals. Benjamin argues that this change in perception has political implications, making it easier for people to question and critique the authority of art and its institutions.
Benjamin’s article examines the difference between how people experience art in person and how they experience it through duplicates. He argues that people connect with art more emotionally when they encounter art in person. This is because they can see the work in its entirety and appreciate its beauty. However, experiencing art through copies, people only see a small part of the work, making it difficult for individuals to connect with the art on an emotional level.
Conclusion
The distinction between cult value and exhibition value refers to how a work of art can be experienced. Cult value is the experience of encountering the work as a rare and precious object, while exhibition value is the experience of discovering the work as a commodity. Furthermore, Benjamin was concerned that reproduction technologies could circulate propaganda or politically biased data to a broad audience quickly and easily. This could lead to people being cheaply manipulated and persuaded by these kinds of messages and hence easily manipulated and misled by those in power.