Tuitorial 5

How do the ideas from Walter Benjamin's "Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction" apply to contemporary digital media?
The ideas of Walter Benjamin’s ‘Art in the age of Mechanical Reproduction are applicable to contemporary digital media as art has and forever will be open to replication. Whether this depreciates the work of art or makes it better is a test of time, but so far (although Walter Benjamin suggest other wise) there have no huge set backs in the world of art only an increase in popularity and variety of art. Technology lets us edit and revamp old, damaged or art with a few hair line fractures (art can be made better) but I guess the question posed is what is better than the essence of original art?…(the aura as Walter Benjamin named it.)
Walter Benjamin’s theory on the Aura and how it is lost when replicated and/or taken out of it historical context. Also sparks the question should this be called plagiarism or is it infact another piece or form of artwork?

There was a time when "Art" was made by artists who were skilled professionals. Now that anyone with a computer can create things digitally (music, images, videos, etc), what does that mean for "art"?
Artists were once seen as a skilled professional. Put on a pedestal for all to admire and all to aspire to be like. But now days it is the every day person who has no become the artist. Regardless of class, gender, race or sexuality you can be an artist; as long as you have the access to music, images, videos, sketch pads, canvas or a building wall.

This means art has meaning for everyone; this is not a tragedy but a powerful and exciting adventure for the world of art. No longer are you penalized for wanting to create something you are passionate about.


Is a photoshopped image "authentic"?

A photoshopped image should not be considered to be ‘authentic’ as the authenticity lies in the truth of the photo. Although shots can be staged or even taken in relation to a staged event such like the photo taken and the footage shot on ‘The Queen’s Tiara’ by the reputable news organization BBC. Where the photographer provoked the Queen to the point where she made a terrible face and this is what the photographer photographed and then added a rather fake story to go with it and BBC eventually had to admit to it being fabricated.

So it is the photographers and editors job to the viewer the best chance at knowing what really happened by not fabricating or staging the photo.
Do digital "things" have an "aura" (in Benjamin's terms)?

Digital “things” do not possess an “aura”, this is in accordance with Walter Benjamin’s ‘The art of mechanical Reproduction’. The Aura is damaged and non-existent in digital “things”. The replication of art work has caused the aura to be lost.