Walter Benjamin’s The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction explores how technological advancements like photography and film transform the nature of art. He introduces the concept of "aura," referring to an artwork’s unique presence in time and space. Mechanical reproduction, however, diminishes this aura by making art infinitely replicable and accessible to the masses. While this democratization of art removes its ritualistic value, it also enables new interpretations. Benjamin sees film as a revolutionary medium that alters perception, shifting the role of the artist and audience. He critiques how fascist regimes exploit mass media for propaganda, turning aesthetics into a tool for political control. Conversely, he advocates for the politicization of art as a means of resistance. His work remains influential in media studies, highlighting the relationship between art, technology, and politics in modern society.
Does mechanical reproduction really dissolve the aura?
Photography can create a new aura, for example, the work of a famous photographer still has a unique historical and emotional value. Similarly, although movies are reproduced, certain classic films can still create a similar “aura” experience in the theater environment. Modern digital art and NFT art have restored “scarcity” to a certain extent, making it possible to give uniqueness to even reproducible works. I think Benjamin may have underestimated the “new aurality” created by reproduction technology itself, i.e., that the artwork can still acquire a unique significance in new media and contexts, rather than just being dissolved.