Assignment # 12 Walter Benjamin

     Even the most perfect reproduction of a work of art is lacking in one element: its presence in time and space, its unique existence at the place where it happens to be. This unique existence of the work of art determined the history to which it was subject throughout the time of its existence. This includes the changes which it may have suffered in physical condition over the years as well as the various changes in its ownership. The traces of the first can be revealed only by chemical or physical analyses which it is impossible to perform on a reproduction; changes of ownership are subject to a tradition which must be traced from the situation of the original.

     Granted that Walter Benjamin was a reknown radical intellect makes his writing interesting. Art is used to describe and explain things in simple symbolic form while depicting social and political issues. Benjamin believed every piece of art, even the most perfect lacked presence in time and space and unique existence of the place of occurence. Change he believe alters originality and ownership, that can never be recaptured. This I believe represents the fact that modern replicas of ancient art will change the way they were once viewed by society and the fact that modern technology is responsible for changes in lifestyle and culture.

Source: UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television;

Transcribed: by Andy Blunden 1998; proofed and corrected Feb. 2005.

1. Why does Benjamin argue for the similar effects of Dadaism and Chaplin films?
Benjamin believed art was used as social consciouness to depict social and political problems in simple forms, similarly to Chaplin using comedy to relate to life.

2. Explain some of the positive and negative effects of the destruction of the "aura" in art.
Some positive effects are the fact that aura is immeasurable, aura is unique and reproducible while some negative effects are the fact that aura changes the experience of a subject and alters the configurations of time and space by which previous generations had perceived them.  

3.  How would you judge or evaluate the impact of mass culture in contemporay life today?
Mass culture is responsible for several changes within our contemporary life, it is responsible for social changes, cultural and political changes. Mass media also provide a realistic view of the world while increasing our abilities to communicate with others.