Walter Benjamin's "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction"

Walter Benjamin’s "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction" examines how technological methods like photography and film change the way we experience art. He argues that these reproductions detach artworks from their traditional context, reducing their "aura"—the unique presence and history that give art depth. While reproduction makes art more accessible, it also alters its authenticity and authority. Benjamin suggests that these changes reshape societal perceptions of art, politics, and culture, emphasizing the importance of understanding how technology influences the significance and value of artistic works.