Walter Benjamin- Pre Class Post

We spoke a lot about this reading in Film in the media Landscape, although in relation to moving images in cinema. Benjamin argues that Technical/mechanical conditions of reproduction are replacing earlier conditions of producing and consuming artworks. I think that one of the most important points one can take from this reading is the vision of “aura” and authenticity in relation to art. Aura implies authenticity. Reproducible art then of course would replace replaces authenticity with the decrease of the value of the original piece. With this in mind we can look at the world famous Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. One could ask how can one piece of art (30 in x 21 in) hold so much value and in turn become the most visited art piece in the world. Benjamin would argue that the aura of the piece is the answer to this question. The Mona Lisa is something highly valued, which is deceptive and out of reach. The ambiguity of the subject's expression, modelling of forms and the atmospheric illusionism are all reasons why this piece stood out. More importantly when you compared to what other artists where doing in the time period, it was authentic. Authenticity that da Vinci bestowed at the time. If you look more recently with the development of camera photographs attempted to imitate painting but very quickly took its own direction which some may argue contributed to the destruction of many forms of fine art. I spoke with a friend who with an obsession for Paris who visited the piece for herself, and it was interesting to note the passion she had talking about the piece. Most importantly it was the full experience, such a small picture against a large blank white wall. She pointed out that she had seen reproductions of the Mona Lisa, but being in the element in Musée du Louvre was unexplainable. Benjamin states "mechanical reproduction emancipates the work of art from it's parasitical dependence on ritual" 42). The same friend also has a picture of the Mona Lisa in our house, I think that this holds true that sometimes when we experience a feeling that is so unique and special to us we like to keep the memory and of course “works of art are received and valued on different planes” (41). This experience she holds may be entirely different for me, for example. Intertexuality is also apparent in pop culture and this piece is also evident in the 2003 romantic comedy The Mona Lisa Smile. Here the Mona Lisa smile is synonymous with a woman who holds a very distinct and beautiful smile.