Walter Benjamin wrote the essay ?The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction? in 1936. In his essay he discusses art mainly before the 20th century, and specifically, the ?aura? of that art. Aura, as Mr. Benjamin describes it, is simply uniqueness in time and space. Benjamin argues that there has been a decay of artistic aura under the impact of media and new cultural technologies and advances; that there are changes in the essence of the art itself. He argues that because of mechanical reproduction, art has lost some of its ?authenticity? in the industry driven culture of the 20th century. In the view of Benjamin, a shift of attitudes toward art has taken place as a result of the introduction of mechanical reproduction.

Art reproduction lacks the presence and personality in a specific time and place that marks a work of art as ?authentic?. A reproduction is quite independent from the original in that the artist has many choices in the way he chooses to present it. In addition, a mechanical reproduction of art has the advantage of being able to be placed in situations that would be inaccessible to the original.

Benjamin prefaces his essay by stating that wor

Music is a very progressive art form. To see the progress of music throughout the centuries is to see an incredible change in attitude and motive. The way music has changed is on such a large scale. The instruments of the past have changed into the instruments of the present and are still continuing to change. The difference between the ancient harp and the guitar, which it later evolved into, is a few thousand years, progressing from the harp to the lute and then to more and different variations till we finally came up with today?s guitar, not to mention the electric guitar. This is just one example of the progress and change of music. Like every other art form, it changes with the societies around it.

2. The actor can no longer adapt his acting to his audience. The audience is now in charge.

3. The actor is now an instrument in the presentation, no longer the center of it.

There are those who would like to revisit the classic age of literature, music, art, or perceived morality. Few people seem to recognize the opportunity which exists right now to make this century the focal point of art in history. We have the technology and creativity to not just reproduce art, but to reinvent it. Humanly speaking, the people of every era think that the era before them was ?the good old days?, and this will be no different one hundred years from now. This makes one believe that perhaps no single century has been any better that another, only different. Art has changed through technology and mechanical reproduction, and it will continue to change, since it cannot die. Art, in its purest forms is for the spectator or creator of the art to observe and gain from. The point is not whether cult art is better than exhibition or vice versa. It has little to do with the current quality of art, or the lack thereof. The point is whether or not art, in Benjamin?s era or in mine, fulfills its purpose, the benefit of mankind.

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