Das Kunstwerk im Zeitalter seiner technischen Reproduzierbarkeit

Drei Studien zur Kunstsoziologie

Paperback

German language

Published May 1, 2003 by Suhrkamp Verlag.

ISBN:
978-3-518-12424-6
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5 stars (2 reviews)

One of the most important works of cultural theory ever written, Walter Benjamin's groundbreaking essay explores how the age of mass media means audiences can listen to or see a work of art repeatedly - and what the troubling social and political implications of this are. Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.

11 editions

Review of 'The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

To fetishize the auratic is to essentialize art as mere authenticity. This is not only anti-democratic, but worse still, it is anti-fun. The gaze of the masses will not tarnish art. The ease of access is what allows for creativity. It allows for the new to emerge from the old.
Naturally, we have to be cautious of the pressure capital and power exert on art. Fascism seeks to aestheticize hate. Communism falls for the fetishization of the aura in an attempt to disarm fascism. Capitalism commodifies it and sanitizes it. Mass reproduction can be abused, but only by using it for further education of the people can we achieve emancipation!