Analysis of The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction By Adam Goren 3/6/14

German writer Walter Benjamin covers a few key points in The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, particularly in regards to reproduction, authenticity, purpose, and societal views on art. Firstly, he writes about how works of art have always been reproducible in theory, but now new advances have turned reproduction into a practical reality that occurs on a much more frequent basis. Walter also discusses how techniques have shifted over time, from simple founding and stamping, to printing and mechanical reproduction. As these techniques grew more advanced, authenticity became something which was often derived from place and time, rather than simple image. Authenticity is defined by Walter quite simply as that which cannot be replicated. For example, I can buy a print of the Mona Lisa, but it will not be authentic, as it was not actually created by Da Vinci using the proper technique, nor is it the proper age, and neither has it been through a cycle of owners which originally began among the artist. This trait is particularly important in regards to ritual, and in our modern time where almost all art is replicable, authenticity often needs to be verified using dating techniques and expert testimonial. Purpose and aura are intertwined in Walters view, and these are derived from society and its perceptions. Walter has a Marxist view and believes that the purpose of art

is shifting to one of politics, which makes sense given he is writing during the time period of Nazi Germany where art was frequently used for propaganda purposes. Lastly, Walter delves into societal views of art, specifically by looking into previous history and tradition. He uses the Romans as an example of a new kind of perception (pg. 219,) and talks about the medium of contemporary purpose and how this relates to social issues, specifically social decay. Overall, Walter makes a strong argument that art as a whole is more than simply an image or object, and that even if the actual image or depiction of an art form can be reproduced, the aura or sense of the art form is irreplaceable. He also posits that art can be used for social purposes, and that the purposes which art is now being used for have changed drastically over time to that of a more political nature. Walters views sound a bit outdated now that the medium of the internet and social networks have changed the landscape of art, but the insights to be gleaned from his writing still hold some validity, even after nearly 80 years.