12 Questions
What did musicians fear would be devalued with the introduction of recording technology?
Stage presence, charisma, and ability to create rapport with the audience
Clive Thompson, as mentioned in the text, believes that recording technology has:
Added rather than removed value for the music industry
What does the text suggest is a useful way of defining the 'value' of an artwork?
Aura
The text mentions that the introduction of ready-mades by artists like Duchamp and Picasso questioned:
Authenticity and authorship
What is one way 'genuineness' can be derived in artworks?
Originality of ideas
The text suggests that 'aura' in artworks can potentially exist even if:
They are not made or performed by the artist
What did Walter Benjamin consider the quintessence of everything about an original work of art?
Its material duration
According to Walter Benjamin, what gives artworks a unique 'aura'?
Material connection to the artist
'The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to our Brains' expresses concern about the erosion of what due to automation?
Humanness and humanity
How did the industrial revolution impact the traditional role of artists according to the text?
It threatened the artist's unique connection to their artwork
Why does the author mention Walter Benjamin in the context of valuing digital art?
To highlight the challenges in ascribing authenticity to digital art
How does Nicolas Carr's concern about automation align with Walter Benjamin's ideas?
Both question the impact of technology on human essence
Study Notes
Walter Benjamin's Concept of Aura
- In 1935, Walter Benjamin argued that the value of an original artwork lies in its genuineness, which encompasses its material duration and historical witness.
- Benjamin believed that artworks have a unique 'aura' - an unreproducible physical history and material connection to the artist - which replicas lack.
- The 'aura' concept suggests that an artwork's value is tied to its physical creation and connection to the artist.
The Impact of Technology on Art
- The introduction of mechanical production and digital technology has raised concerns about the role of the artist and the value of art.
- Nicolas Carr's concern about the digital era reflects Benjamin's ideas, questioning whether something can possess an aura of authenticity without a human touch.
Historical Context: Assigning Value to New Media
- The introduction of recording technology in the early 20th century led to fears about the devaluation of stage presence and charisma in music.
- However, history has shown that recording technology has added value to the music industry, enabling the development of new music genres and styles.
Case Studies: Mona Lisa and Readymades
- The Mona Lisa's endless reproduction has not diminished the value of the original painting, highlighting the significance of 'aura' in defining an artwork's value.
- Marcel Duchamp's ready-mades, such as 'Fountain', questioned the role of the artist as a maker and challenged traditional notions of authenticity and authorship.
- Ready-mades have since been recognized as pioneering works that explore the concept of aura in modern art.
The Evolution of Aura
- The concept of aura has evolved to encompass not only handmade artworks but also works that aren't made or performed by the artist.
- Today, aura can be derived from originality of ideas as much as handiwork, and its significance relies on the historical witness it bears.
Explore Walter Benjamin's perspective on the genuine value of original works of art and the importance of their historical witness. Discover how Benjamin emphasized the artist's hand in determining authenticity.
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