Databases

This Modern Aura

I found Walter Benjamin’s article to be very difficult to read. I found it to be redundant. However- each different paragraph comparing current art forms to past ones, helped to illustrate the point that we have to understand the past to see the present it a clear light. I want to define “mechanical reproduction” as this modern age. I think he wants to point out how new forms of technology have changed how we view different forms of art. I think understanding new art forms begins with taking time to understand how we got to this point. Constantly cultivating knowledge from the past helps us preserve the original importance and significance of early art forms, and helps to retain its great significance in media today. Film, photography and the computer are all common place now. But once were completely new and astonishing. This platform is ever evolving, but always influenced by the past. I’d define the ‘aura’ as the ability someone has to see the significance behind it. We are now barraged with images, sounds, and pictures. With so many images meant to influence us, it’s easy to breeze over something if its not instantly eye catching, and even eye catching usually means it has a momentary influence. Without prior knowledge, or even a desire to understand; someone can completely dismiss a work of art as just another image (These days I think I dismiss many images as advertisements).

Machinima is eye-catching, bold, busy; but completely over looked by someone with no understanding of where it comes from. It’s for an audience with a presumed understanding of the art form. Without an understanding of where it was cultivated and what it means, it’s easy for something like Machinima to be completely overlooked. Our discussion in class about Machinima gave me an understanding of its significance, or its aura. Machinima emerges from the video game field. The video game field is comprised of many media forms. I feel removed from this culture because I have no understanding of any video game that came after Super Nintendo!

I recently visited the Museum of Modern Art. I think Jackson Pollock's work is a great example of something constantly reproduced and easily viewed as unimportant unless you understand it's significance historically. Without any explanation, what distinguishes his work from some paint I could splatter on a canvas? I overheard a girl talking to her friend about it. She said "doesn't this remind you splatter paint? like the spin art we used to do at birthday parties when we were younger?" as she breezed past it.

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