Week 3 Blog post: Mechanization and Art

The topic for this week is mechanization and art. In the lecture, Professor Vesna mentions describes Walter Benjamin’s ideas as “he analyzes how mechanical reproduction destroys or put an end to the idea of uniqueness or authenticity or aura as he labeled it, in the work of art. The withering of aura is inevitable. The idea of originality is broken down. The idea of tradition is not as important and the idea of mechanical reproduction in his eyes emancipates the work of art from the dependence of the ritual.” I agree with Walter that mechanical reproduction devalues the idea of uniqueness and originality. I did a google search on “reproduction artwork”, and I got a list of art companies who reproduced artwork. The reproduction technology is so widespread, thus it depreciates the uniqueness. The picture below is a person in a art reproduction company trying to take a digital copy of the work.

http://www.fineprintimaging.com/images/artcopy1.jpg

However, I feel that there are also many great points brought up by the reproduction. A single artwork now can be viewed by people living in different places at the same time. The mechanization plays a huge role in promoting and advertising the art. People who have no prior contact with artworks can get more opportunities to comprehend the complexity and subtlety of art. The below is a list of web address for online museums. The public does not need to commute and can get access to see great art pieces easily from their houses.

http://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/online/images/halverson_exh_banner.jpg

This is a photo available in the online museum.

Automobile industry is another example of showing the positive mutual influence of mechanization and art. Other the regular cars, different kinds of concept cars are produced to showcase new styling and new technology. For example, Buick Y-Job, widely regarded as the first concept vehicle in the world, is designed by the famous General Motors designer Harley Earl. It has great impact on the subsequent Buick cars and the concept of Buick Blackhawk. The imaginative and futuristic concepts of these cars wow audiences all around the world and give us a glimpse in to the future.

http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/Buick/38-Buick-Y-Job-Concept-DV-08_PBC_01.jpg

This is a picture of a Buick Y-Job concept car.

All in all, I agree with Walter Benjamin that mechanization is detrimental to the development of artistic uniqueness and originality, but we cannot neglect the positive effects of mechanization on art.







Work sited:

Vesna, Victoria, Robotics pt1. Web. 18 Oct 2013.

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRw9_v6w0ew&feature=player_embedded>

Benjamin, Walter. “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.” . UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Web. 18 Oct 2013
<http://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/works/ge/benjamin.htm>.

"Art Copy Services for Fine Art Reproductions." Digital Art Copy. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://www.fineprintimaging.com/print_services/art_copy/>.

"Exhibitions." Online / American Art. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/online/>.

"Concept Cars and Prototype Vehicles - Vehicle Information from Concept to Production."Concept Cars and Automobile Pictures. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://files.conceptcarz.com/>.