Task 2 - Reading and Understanding a Text - Walter Benjamin

         Walter Benjamin’s 1936 essay entitled ‘The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction’ delves in depth into the elusive concept that he refers to as the ‘Aura’ of artwork. The Aura is best described as the authenticity and artistic integrity of a work of Art.

‘One might subsume the eliminated element in the term “aura” and go on to say: that which withers in the age of mechanical reproduction is the aura of the work of art.’ (Benjamin, [1936] Chapter II) In the age of mechanical reproduction, that authenticity is compromised because of its exposure to foreign agents and processes. For example, if an Animator were to animate with the use of traditional animation, there is nothing between himself and his work. In terms of digital animation, a new and foreign agent is introduced whether it be a drawing tablet, Cintiq etc., compromising the ‘Aura’ of the artwork by reducing its authenticity and originality. Another example of the degradation of Aura is mass reproduction; after the animator has finished his work, even if it was created authentically, its Aura is still compromised because it has been distributed to the masses. ‘By making many reproductions it substitutes a plurality of copies for a unique existence.’ (Benjamin, [1936] Chapter II). ‘The work of art reproduced becomes the work of art designed for reproducibility.’ (Benjamin, [1936] Chapter IV). The creative process of the artist is no longer simply an expression of soul rather compromised by the inevitability or reproduction. This changes the creative process and shifts the Artists focus off of himself and towards his viewers.

         Benjamin describes art as being received on two different accounts, one with an emphasis on cult value and another on exhibition value. ‘One may assume that what mattered was their existence, not their being on view.’ (Benjamin, [1936] Chapter V). Benjamin describes cult value as a sacredness of art while exhibition value is the opposite in that it has been created for exhibition specifically to be viewed by the masses. Benjamin speaks of ‘Desire of contemporary masses to bring things “closer” spatially and humanly.’ (Benjamin, [1936] Chapter III). Because the contemporary masses desire to be closer to the ‘Aura’ of artwork, ironically they accept it’s reproduction. However, if the reproduction depreciates the Aura, the masses are accepting a small fragment of the original artwork.