Project 8 The work of art in the age of mechinical reproduction

Project 8 The work of art in the art of mechinial reproduction

(see V& A post re camera-less photographing)

Tautological -repeating the same thing

Walter Benjamin 1892


Works of art can be reproduced in large numbers so become assessable to all, these come in many ways as postcards used in advertisement's in this case helps to sell a product, wallpaper etc.

Walter Benjamin states that the process of picture reproduction was freed from the artist and accelerated as the camera lens could capture instantaneously.  While authenticity perquisite to the presence of the original is outside technical reproducibly the reproduction process i.e. the photo makes it independent from the original.  This means that a copy of the original photo can be used outside its original contexts, although then the quality of the original is depreciated.

The aura is natural to art work mechanical reproduction of artwork eliminates this from the reproductions.  Society is passionate to overcome the uniqueness of reality by accepting reproductions Benjamin states

"To pry an object from its shell to destroy its aura is a mark of perception whose ' sense of quality of things' has increased to such a degree that it extracts it even from a unique object be means of reproduction ".

I think that there is no substitute for a visit to a gallery to experience the real work even if it is not in its original setting in a way it is a kind of pilgrimage for those unable to travel to see the works of art  that are kept in private collections and galleries in other countries.


The improvement in reproduction methods and possibilities through technological advancement strengthens Benjamin's arguments making his ideas more relevant today. 

The failure of the Soviets experiment does not alter the validity of Benjamin's case I think his ideas are applicable today though human perception, capitalism has changed because of historical circumstances (Marxism has not become obsolete with the collapse of the Soviet Union).

John Berger's 1926 case was a lot easy to understand, it also helped to look at the T.V. programs that I managed to see on U.Tube, although I did read  Benjamin's essay 3 or 4 times being able to watch  I found to easier to understand. Combined with reading both theories, In some aspects I think that being able to purchase copies of art gives you more scope to be able to study individual paintings and or artists at your leisure, also these days you are able to access galleries etc though the Internet.  In some respect a work of art being removed from its original site either grows or fades in the meaning it subverts.  It is no longer where or of whom the work of art was made for to it losses some of its uniqueness. Also when a camera reproduces an imagine of the work of art it destroys and thus its meaning is altered and multiplied.

Nostalgia comes to the for in art because of the camera - familiarity breeds apathy.  The reproduction is used to suppress, it is used politically and commercially as mentioned before in advertisements etc.  When it is used with a background of music or words  it can change your perception of the painting etc as in Berger's example of Van Gough's  Wheat field.

John Berger " Seeing comes before word, a child looks and recognises before it can speak" (Way's of Seeing)

Shadow catchers at V & A london

Shadow Catchers at V and A London

Five international artists have changed the assumption that the camera is necessary to make a photograph. By casting shadows on light sensitive casting paper or chemically manipulating its surface the artists seem to capture the presence of objects, figures or glowing lights, giving exciting images and ofter surreal or abstract effects and symbolic content.  These camera-less photo's were explored at the beginning of photography and have recently been re-discovered so I would imagine with a little help from modern technology the artists were able to achieve the end results.

Images made with a camera imply a documentary role, in contract camera-less photograph show what has never existed as they are always the 'the orginal' because they are not made from a negative.

The artists involved in this exhibition are Pierre Cordier, Susan Derges, Adam Fuss, Gary Fabian Miller and Floiris Neususs.   

thoughts of the subject of modern art (10/01/2011)

When you see an object, photograph, plant, etc and you look at the shape and not the subject itself. You may think I could use this in a painting drawing etc. Does that subject become a means to an end, by changing the composition of the painting so that the object becomes something different.

i.e.  when using the outline of the object chosen, lets take a tree trunk the outline of which could become a part of a subject I am painting ?? i.e. using the shape as part of another drawing a part of a sculpture.