Week 4- Aura

 This week, we analyzed the reading The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction by Walter Benjamin. Overall, this reading was confusing which is why I tried my best to remember it was written originally in German in 1935. The main points addressed in this journal are aura and painting compared against film. 

The first mention of aura in this text is on page 4, “One might subsume the eliminated element in the term “aura” and go on to say: what which withers in the age of mechanical reproduction is the aura of the work of art.” In previous passages, the author notes how the element of an aura is its presence in time and space. To me, this definition of aura makes sense because I believe aura is energy collected over time. The author goes on to say that original artworks carry a strong aura because they have lived through their history and creation. This is a really good way to explain the emotional difference between originals and duplicates. In class, we discussed whether or not duplicates would reduce an artwork's impact. I believe there are two impacts to be made from duplicates. I think prints, shirts, mugs, and other forms of art duplicates are a great way to share the work with others and incorporate it into your daily life. However, I also believe that an artwork can be over-shared much like a song that is overplayed on the radio. Take for instance Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh.

Starry Night, Vincent Van Gogh

This artwork is one of the most popular paintings in the world. Has that made it lose its aura? Not for me. The fact that this painting has been so widely shared, is what allowed me to connect to it at such a young age. I remember being in elementary school with my older brother. He learned about Starry Night before I did and I recall when he told me about it for the first time. Looking back on Starry Night now, it still reminds me of the older brother. In my own art class, I've had students describe Starry Night to me because they wanted to know the name of it. Sharing art is always important because it creates artistic interest especially in young students. I believe this just adds to the aura of Starry Night.

On this topic of aura, the author first led into the discussion of film by saying it's not a traditional form of art. I agree, film was revolutionary and changed how society can perceive art. However, the author goes on to explain how he doesn't believe the aura of film is as strong as the aura of traditional art. This is because the film isn't shot all at once, during the same days, or even in the same sequential order. He claims that since the film was pieced together, all sense of the original presence in time and space is lost and therefore the aura is lost. I understand his point of view however I respectfully disagree. Film is a medium for sharing art much like a canvas. Scenes are what brushes are to a painting. Even though there are cameras behind an intense drama, that doesn't make the message less valuable. Do artists lose appreciation for a painting because they knew it once sat on an easel? I believe painting and film are both worthy art mediums and share strong auras.

As a future art teacher, it was interesting for me to read an article reviewing film from a time when it was new. I think bringing concepts from this week's reading into my classroom would benefit my students. Learning about art’s aura, past social beliefs of film, and how duplicates affect art is a great way to encourage critical thinking.

Sources:

Benjamin, Walter. "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction." Illumination, 1935.

"Vincent Van Gogh." Encyclopædia Britannica. Accessed September 15, 2021. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vincent-van-Gogh.