Art in the World of Mechanical Reproduction
According to Walter Benjamin's theory, Art contains Aura. It's originality and uniqueness make Art one of a kind, in its own presence that he calls, the "Here & Now".
Example: There is only one original Mona Lisa. To see it in person you stand in awe, of its Aura acheiving "a distance as close as it can be. "It is almost indescribable.
According to Benjamin, and his theory "Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction," Aura is lost when Art is reproduced. Although more people are able to see great works of art through reproduction, Benjamin feels they can't experience the essense of the original and it diminishes the aura of the real piece of art.
Mass reproductions have eclipsed textbooks and posters. Today, we find the Great Masters printed on dresses, t-shirts and mugs. As people try to get closer to the art they kill the aura.
According to Benjamin, Early Photography retained some measure of Aura by focusing on the human counterance. But as Photography use widened to other subjects , "the exhibition value for the first time shows its superiority to the ritual value."
According to Benjamin, Filmmaking has a low value of Aura becase of its reproduction. Benjamin claimed Aura has a "strange web of space and time. "He also felt that Film stole the Aura obtained live in the theatre, when watching a play. Benjamin feels that Films lacks of 'aura' leads to the business of building up the actor's personality in the real world. Filming the actor in segments diminishes any aura the actor's performance may have delivered. It's the camera, a mechanical device that the actor is acting for and not the audience. However, filmmaking has evolved now with advanced digital cameras, new techniques, CGI and computer editing... films have become their own art form. Some would argue that they contain an Aura of their own.
"The art of storytelling is reaching its end because the epic side of truth, wisdom is dying out."
"To perceive the aura of an object we look at means to invest it with the ability to look at using return."
"The only way of knowing a person is to love them without hope."
"The construction of life is at present in the power of facts far more than convictions."