Walter
Benjamin and his dissertation on The Work
of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction (Benjamin, 1969 [1936]) compares and
contrasts the effects a ‘new technology’ such as film and photographic
reproductions and its effects on traditional forms of art. It is worth noting
that this is a period of writing that was current as of 1936. The epoch
Benjamin speaks about is a long time before the current present of 2020.
Moreover, what stands out about Benjamin’s periods is that it was a few years
before the Second World War; a great deal of other notable events took place in
the ensuing years. This fact doesn’t make Benjamin’s thesis any less pertinent
to its content, but it does bear noting if nothing more than to put his story
in to context.
So
the crux of the dissertation, from what I could glean, seems to be Benjamin’s
take on a comparison of a new technology such as film, including photography,
and to make certain claims about how its presence might impact the way people
view art, which up to that point was centered primarily on paintings,
sculptures, and even architecture.
I
noticed that when Benjamin spoke about a painting and compared it with a photographic
image, he reflected on how each media could be viewed by an audience. The artwork such as a
painting viewed by a single person had more of personalised independent effect on the individual; whereas, a
photograph, or movie, viewed by many people at one time brought about a shared group reaction, for example the audience laughing as one at the comical
exploits of Charlie Chaplin.
It
does appear that Benjamin’s stand on ‘mechanical reproductions’ has a
consequence of diminishing value on art as a whole. He refers to footnote 13 by
Aldous Huxley who even goes as far as doing a sum using algebra to drive home
the numbers. In both examples it seems that because of advances in technology,
more people are able to find ways to express them own creative self. Their
point is that these men place an emphasis on quality over quantity and in their opinion
the quality of artwork is compromised by any increase in available art.
The
point they do seem to miss, though, is that with the advances of technology as
whole, more people are able to break the shackles of the capitalistic monopoly
on freedom of choice. Karl Marx himself advocated that with the invention of
the machines this would free up time for the proletariat to explore areas of
artist endeavor. I would argue that by giving more people a voice on anything
is a good thing because it removes the esoteric nature that feudalism endorses.
*****
The
other topic I would like to touch base with in this post are my thoughts regarding the video PressPausePlay (PressPausePlay, 2011).
This
video runs for just over 84 minutes. It looks at artistic creation in the digital
age and broadly asks the question, does a ‘democratising’ of access
through the use of readily available software and other technology used by
non-traditional artists decrease the value of the created artwork. This video
in all essence is a modern take on Walther Benjamin's thesis—does the democratising
brought about by technology decrease the quality of artwork?
The
law of average would seem to agree in the affirmative. Besides does not gold have a higher value than beach sand? Or imagine what would happen to the price of diamonds if
by happen chance a cache so vast in quantity were discovered within easy access
of traditional means. How would people view diamonds from that point on? But
they are still diamonds; there would just be more of them.
Diamonds are not all graded equally. In fact
there are many varying degrees of quality. And many amateur artists are at best diamonds in the rough; they still have a long
way to go to make the grade. Ah, but
non-musicians making music can be likened to a stray moggie at night on the lookout for a companion all the while
trying to avoid a size 11 shoe thrown at him if he upsets someone trying to sleep...but a body needs to eat! And to express them self.
There will always be those rare Cullinan diamonds that stand
out from the rest. The
more diamonds available simply means a plentiful supply to cater for all tastes and budgets. And just because there are more aspiring artists, those with
real talent will always find their way to rise up and sparkle under the spotlight. And if technology helps them achieve their goals, then all good and well.
Works Cited
PressPausePlay. (2011, September
19). Retrieved February 5, 2020, from YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rvlaTg3vPg
Benjamin, W. (1969
[1936]). The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. Illuminations.
Ed. H. Arendt. New York, 217-251.
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