WEEK 3: Aura

AURA OF ART: The Reproduction Era When we compare analog photography with printmaking we can say that the concept is very much similar and they provide the same purpose to reproduce an original piece and make copies of those artworks. With analog photography they use a chemical process to transfer the original art to hard copies and it’s normally transferred to paper, but also can be put onto plates and films. While printmaking is another process that would rely more on the machinery coping of an original art work and has a longer process for development. Artworks have many ways of being reproduced and shared to the public. When we compare printed copies and photographic copies to painted copies there can be quite a few differences. Based on lighting, the environment and the artist who is recreating an art piece. When we look at the idea of another artist or the original artist to recreate an original we rely on their own perception of the original piece. When an artwork is repainted as a copy you're bound to see more detail in colors as it would be more vibrant and less likely to be touched and passed around so the quality of that copy may be better than its original but it doesn’t change the original's value as that piece will always be the original. When we get copies of an artwork through photography and printing the dimensional and detail factors may be more accurate but it will lose some properties that the eyes can only pick up with an art work. At this time lighting and surrounding can affect the quality of these reproduced art works. Benjamin talks about historical objects and landscapes as having auras. We can also include other things as well to carry an aura. I believe that it is only natural that everything carries an aura. When it comes to reproduction of art the aura can be affected by the lighting, texture, filters, or its surroundings. In Benjamin's thoughts he believes the aura of a work of art derives from authenticity, and the local making of the art. He believes that art's aura is carried with the original pieces because their “lives” carry their aura from the moment of their making. But to me this aura is not destroyed; it may not be as intense as seeing the original; but the copies are still carrying part of the original with them. With reproduction this allows access to art we would possibly not have access to. We get to see art that isn't from here that on its own carries an aura of another place to the viewer. These art techniques reproduced through new media are meant to be shown to the public. This doesn't mean that the original loses value but the art being copied can be repurposed for something else. With reproduction taking its course with art it completely changes the purpose of an artwork. Now that art can be made and reproduced more copies can be sold for less and the value of the piece may be seen as less than something more physical, such as statues and sculptures. Reproduction allows the world to share art work and for the art to be transferred to new objects like today with art on cups, socks, and umbrellas. With this new way of repurpose for art it allows for the audience and viewers to be more involved in the art they like, they can take the art and have the images in their rooms on the wall or even on a t-shirt where they can wear their favorite artwork around in public for more to see. This mass reproduction allows the art work to be seen in many forms or ways depending on how it was remade. The growth of art is seen in society now because of the mass production of arts of all kinds being shared and inspired all around the world. This changes how we look at art and what art works are personally suited to a viewer because of its rise in popularity. Benjamin feels that film is not considered a good form of art because it lacks letting us criticize or lacks the use of thinking with our brains. He feels that the film is filled with various distractions and disturbances. He complains that the camera movement is too much for a viewer and it thinks for the viewer rather than allowing them to think for themselves. I can understand what Benjamin meant by this but I love film and I think it is art. It can be its own kind of art but it is also something that can be analyzed and thoughtfully looked at. When I consider short films or shows with cliffhangers I believe in those moments the film is forcing the audience to think and to put together the ends themselves, until it is continued within a new show or film. This idea proves that the audience can still think when watching the films. I do agree that film guides the viewer how they want. The camera effects, acting,sounds, and lighting all play a part in how the film will be portrayed to the audience watching. These factors can control how the audience may feel or think while watching the film but that doesn’t harm the viewer but instead I believe that is what makes a film so strong when it can provoke feelings from their audience as it was intended. On page 12, Benjamin states that "the distinction between author and public is about to lose its basic character." This statement can easily be related to today's culture with the internet and social media. With these new techniques today everyone is able to give criticism and are able to speak or comment on other people’s work whether it’s writing, art, film, or just a personal rant on someone’s facebook status. Today we all have access to these ways of communication and we can even share our own personal thoughts which allows others to agree with thoughts or to add on to the thoughts as well. Now everyone can be considered an author of their lives and are able to provide their criticism to others purely through our access to the internet and how it allows us to communicate in ways we couldn’t before.