Jess A: Walter Benjamin Reading

Walter Benjamin discusses the art world of reproducing art and how art is changing in the modern age with mechanics. He uses the term, “aura” to clarify art that is unique. Art that follows the tradition of time and their original form is subject to the subjectivity of the time of ritual. Meaning an art’s aura is effected by its history based purpose. Comparing between painting and photography and film, which is considered as a more advanced photography is the main focus of the argument between unique and reproduction. Photography is considered as impossible to be authentic because there is no original. Photography is an art solely based on reproduction, as is film. To Walter, the modernization of art is switching the two values that art can have; the cult value to the exhibition value. However this is not completely a negative thing.