Walter Benjamin's Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction

Walter Benjamin's "Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction" explores how mass production alters the nature of art. In a Marxist context, he argues that reproducing art through photography and film democratizes access but also strips it of its "aura"—the unique presence tied to tradition and location. This shift reflects broader societal changes, where commodification and capitalism impact culture and individual experience. Benjamin sees potential for political change in this new accessibility, suggesting that reproduced art can foster critical awareness and challenge dominant ideologies, aligning with critical theory's goal of understanding and transforming society.