1. In his essay, "The Work of Art In The Age of Mechanical Reproduction," Walter Benjamin argues that the "aura" of art has been lost with the mechanical reproduction of modern modern art. "... the technique of reproduction detaches the reproduced object from the domain of tradition. By making many reproductions it substitutes a plurality of copies for a unique existence." With this, Benjamin hints that the authenticity of an artwork that is mechanically reproduced is depreciated. Do you believe the loss of the aura has such a prominent effect in fields such as photography and film?
2. Benjamin takes some time explaining his views on mechanical reproduction by describing how it "emancipates the work of art from its parasitical dependence on ritual" and that "instead of being based on ritual, it begins to be based on another practice – politics." He argues that with the absence of traditional value, modern art will be based solely on the practice of politics. Do you agree with his interpretation of modern art?
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