Since the industrialization, new technologies have been flooding. The techniques of reproduction become more and more advanced and sophisticated. However, Walter Benjamin believed that even the perfect reproduction lack the uniqueness of its existence, which jeopardizes the uniqueness and the authenticity of art works. From his perspective, some techniques such as photography, copy machines, even films indeed perfectly reproduced but may depreciate the true value of artistic presence. Meanwhile, the mechanical reproduction aspired the new technology standard and thus present the new art form. I agree with him to some extent. In opinion, the appearance of these new technologies reform the patterns of art creation and should also change the way how people think about art creation. The copy machines however can produce real artistic work while presenting its unique existence.
I believe that 3-D printer technology is one important innovation in art history. Through computer designing programs, we can made an elephant with intricate carvings and firm materials in accurate measurement. The technology presents a new way for people to create but does not prevent artists from working in traditional ways. I believe the appearance of mechanical reproduction only provides more options of creation.
This is also a example picture of 3D printing. With the new technology, humans can produce new forms of art.
In addition, Benjamin proposed that the artistic creation was originally based on ritual; however, the technology innovation changed the situation and moved towards politics.
For example, Triumph of the Will was a film used by Nazi group during the WWII to propagandize the Nazi ideology. Leni Riefenstahl invented new ways of filming and applied them to political topics.
Sources:
Benjamin, Walter. The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. London: Penguin, 2008. Print.
"Catastrophe Becomes Art With 3D Printing." PCWorld. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.
"Triumph of the Will (Triumph Des Willens)(Leni Riefenstahl, 1935) Deluxe Remastered Edition DVD." Triumph of the Will (Triumph Des Willens)(Leni Riefenstahl, 1935) Deluxe Remastered Edition DVD. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.
Vesna,Victoria. “Lecutre Part 2.” Math + Art. 12 Oct. 2012. Lecture.
"Leni Riefenstahl." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Council, 2016. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.
Brooks, Katherine. "14 Ways 3D Printing Has Changed The Art World." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.
Hi Yi!
ReplyDeleteI think your discussion of Walter Benjamin's idea is very interesting, as it presents the idea of art as something that should be ephemeral. I think that is something clearly seen with visual art or extemporaneous poetry, for example, but the idea of literature not being copied and shared is definitely strange to me.