The Work Of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction

The Work Of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction Name Institution Date How does Walter Benjamin's discussion of art contribute to or complicate the ideas the author presents in “The Task of the Translator”? In the preface of “The Work Of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction” Walter Benjamin highlights that there are ideological and political functions of art in fascist and communist systems. Benjamin further cautions about mechanical production of art since the process devalues the aura (authenticity and uniqueness) of the work of art. Additionally, the translations survive over the original and sometimes even unrelated and technical reproduction has made it easier to transmit and change art. Technological development has influenced artistic production, where art of the past can be reinterpreted in different ways as there is a reworking of art. The practice of art reproduction transforms the art and literature and dilutes the uniqueness of the work. Benjamin focuses on Marx’s idea of a superstructure where mechanical reproduction and conditions of production can affect art in the economy. Artistic production can be used to understand the relationship between infrastructure and superstructure in the mode of production (Benjamin, 1935). The transformation of the superstructure is slower than the infrastructure and takes time to influence changes in culture. The process of reproduction dilutes the value of the works of art, and in translating the value and uniqueness of the work also changes. Aestheticization of politics is more common with fascism and “communism responds by politicizing art” (Benjamin, 1935). Those reproducing works of art and translating ought to make them easily recognizable and integrate the most important elements from the originals. Aura withers under conditions of mechanical reproduction and when there is tra...