1.Benjamin discusses the concept of "aura," which refers to the unique presence of a work of art in time and space. The reproducibility of art through photographs and film challenges the notion of aura, as reproductions lack the original work's unique existence. 2. The shift from cult value to exhibition value, where art is no longer tied to rituals and magic, but becomes something to be viewed by the masses. 3. The film actor performs for the camera, detached from a live audience. Film actors, unlike stage actors, represent themselves rather than embodying a character, leading to the development of a cult of personality around them. However, this loss of aura for film actors is compensated by the audience's identification with the camera, which Benjamin sees as antithetical to cult value.
This distinction between cult/magic and exhibition in art is interestingly manifested in the different words used by the ancient Greeks and Romans for sculpture - agalma and statua respectively. For the Greeks a piece of sculpture was an agalma from agalesthai meaning to delight, to take pride in, whereas for the Romans it was a statua from stare which means to stand (in a corner?).
For anyone new to this essay or looking to better understand it, take note that Benjamin's discussion of "cult value" is somewhat analogous to Marx's concept of "commodity fetishism." The traditional work of art is only useful within the cult and has no other apparent use-value. Indeed, it is precisely the belief in "art for art's sake," as posited by the Decadent, Aestheticist, and Symbolist movements, in which Benjamin finds a "theology of art." It works quite in tandem with Benjamin's argument in an earlier short essay that capitalism is a religion.
It is amazing how the mechanical reproduction of music in records, cds and youtube etc has not obliterated live music, photography has not obliterated painting and, most importantly, the cinema has not obliterated theatre. As a matter of fact, theatre, live music and even painting have thrived. People still want and seek the unique and the challenging, despite pop culture which is formulaic and escapist.
The thing is, even today, a painting looks different in person. The root of “Zerstreuung” is “spreading, scattering” i. e. when sowing seeds in a field. Interesting word for being entertained.
Thank you so much! I had heard of Benjamin's work but never really understood quite well what he worked on, and in the sea of material to read I thought he wasn't worth the time. You have changed my mind and now he is one of my priorities! Thank you again, I really love the work you've been doing. I can't contribute financially but I hope that my likes, comments and the few shares do help you and your goal!
Fascinating. I will say this: When I first saw the Mona Lisa in person, about 20 (?) years ago, I had a very powerful emotional response. One that surprised me, in fact. Like anyone else, I had seen the image 1000s and 1000s of times before I finally made it to Paris. So that sort of emotional effect really kind of shocked me. Don't quite know where that fits in with The Aura, but it was certainly intense. I remember reading and thinking about Benjamin a lot back when I was in school, six million years ago. I hadn't really studied him much since, though. So I'm thankful for this, in that it has renewed a nearly lost interest in me, for sure.
I agree! This is a very interesting lecture. The last segment ends before it really begins and I feel extremely left hanging, wanting her to tell me more about this politicization of art.
I'm curious if similar discussions were being had about mechanical reproduction when the printing press came about. Similarly, interesting to think of whether a poet putting pen to paper is alienated compared to their forebears in the oral tradition.
Art derives its value through its uniqueness and technology from its unlimited ability to be reproduced. Art is distinguished from technology in that the instructions and expression are one and the same whereas technology and the instructions to make it are separate.
Interesting that some actors do have a real audience and physical relationship with their viewers, but they are also being filmed eh. Sitcoms in particular I guess I’m considering, I wonder if the aura is present but then not present when viewed on screen? But also have to consider that tech is not what it was then in 1930s so his considerations would have been limited to in person events or simply film
That’s a great question and one that should be discussed. Or how about examples of art, music, literature that were ignored or ridiculed at their inception but were later reevaluated and considered works of genius. Did these works not have an “aura” at first but then gained one as they began being accepted by the critical establishment?
Silent films were the norm in the 1930s, no? Presumably, actors' different use of sound & intonation would have been on Walter Benjamin's mind as a difference between film and stage actors.
'It's interesting how a Marxist philosopher like Benjamin would have such a consumerist view of art, aiming to bolster the elites benefit from it." R S Pearson
Your depth of perception schematics surfacing deep rooted reflection on reality engineering hidden connections between arts history, religious cult movements and cultural spiritual warfare mentality fighting within shadows of self image derived out of otherwise voices over Silent living Text documented outcomes of personalized touchy subjective experiences across operations theatre, film productions houses and video games music labels industry rendering different modes of receptions
Part that hit me the most was the loss of “aura” and ritualized cult appreciation of art. 100%. Musical reproduction has devalued the entire art. Wild that he thought reproduction would lead to the defeat of fascism when film and music are made to he consumed and discarded while internalizing points of views and modes of thinking pushed from monopolistic business douches. Appreciate you taking time to explain an essay that wouldn’t be in my next 10,000 books to read lol
the prominence of affirmative action in society reaffirms ideas that i shouldnt be thinking about when thinking about this, but unfortunately, standpoint epistemology is neoliberal colonialism so i have no choice.
I find Benjamin very problematic creating terms like aura. Thanks for your pronunciation of Benjamin’s name by the way. At the time he was writing about aesthetics there was very limited understanding of neuroscience. Trying to discuss artistic output as an aura neglects what has been important in image making as digitization took hold. Essentially summed up by the Facebook name change, meta, what is outside the boundaries of an image. Aura evokes spiritual concepts in readers. So the sense of uniting an image in various technical ways is not addressed by using the word aura. Uniting or connecting imagery such as in movies is like what Benjamin claims in his theorizing. Since he uses aesthetics which is a field in philosophy, it seems his speculation about an aura to especially as Benjamin was a Marxist link aesthetics to realism or scientific stances. One hundred years later then his essay has to be framed by especially in mechanical reproduction what actually happens in uniting or connecting images to bring alive what he was thinking about. Essentially he was describing what is outside (aura) the frame and that connectivity in consumption of moving images.
1.Benjamin discusses the concept of "aura," which refers to the unique presence of a work of art in time and space. The reproducibility of art through photographs and film challenges the notion of aura, as reproductions lack the original work's unique existence.
2. The shift from cult value to exhibition value, where art is no longer tied to rituals and magic, but becomes something to be viewed by the masses.
3. The film actor performs for the camera, detached from a live audience. Film actors, unlike stage actors, represent themselves rather than embodying a character, leading to the development of a cult of personality around them. However, this loss of aura for film actors is compensated by the audience's identification with the camera, which Benjamin sees as antithetical to cult value.
Yes!! Have been waiting for Overthink to cover Benjamin for a while. Think you did a great job so far! :)
Thanks!
This distinction between cult/magic and exhibition in art is interestingly manifested in the different words used by the ancient Greeks and Romans for sculpture - agalma and statua respectively. For the Greeks a piece of sculpture was an agalma from agalesthai meaning to delight, to take pride in, whereas for the Romans it was a statua from stare which means to stand (in a corner?).
For anyone new to this essay or looking to better understand it, take note that Benjamin's discussion of "cult value" is somewhat analogous to Marx's concept of "commodity fetishism." The traditional work of art is only useful within the cult and has no other apparent use-value. Indeed, it is precisely the belief in "art for art's sake," as posited by the Decadent, Aestheticist, and Symbolist movements, in which Benjamin finds a "theology of art." It works quite in tandem with Benjamin's argument in an earlier short essay that capitalism is a religion.
It is amazing how the mechanical reproduction of music in records, cds and youtube etc has not obliterated live music, photography has not obliterated painting and, most importantly, the cinema has not obliterated theatre. As a matter of fact, theatre, live music and even painting have thrived. People still want and seek the unique and the challenging, despite pop culture which is formulaic and escapist.
It can be argued that while theatre and live performance still exist, however it is somewhat overshadowed by their reproductions.
The thing is, even today, a painting looks different in person. The root of “Zerstreuung” is “spreading, scattering” i. e. when sowing seeds in a field. Interesting word for being entertained.
Thank you so much! I had heard of Benjamin's work but never really understood quite well what he worked on, and in the sea of material to read I thought he wasn't worth the time. You have changed my mind and now he is one of my priorities! Thank you again, I really love the work you've been doing. I can't contribute financially but I hope that my likes, comments and the few shares do help you and your goal!
Happy to come across this video. I like the way you explain.
Fascinating. I will say this: When I first saw the Mona Lisa in person, about 20 (?) years ago, I had a very powerful emotional response. One that surprised me, in fact. Like anyone else, I had seen the image 1000s and 1000s of times before I finally made it to Paris. So that sort of emotional effect really kind of shocked me. Don't quite know where that fits in with The Aura, but it was certainly intense.
I remember reading and thinking about Benjamin a lot back when I was in school, six million years ago. I hadn't really studied him much since, though. So I'm thankful for this, in that it has renewed a nearly lost interest in me, for sure.
Feel like there should be a part two...
I agree! This is a very interesting lecture. The last segment ends before it really begins and I feel extremely left hanging, wanting her to tell me more about this politicization of art.
I'm curious if similar discussions were being had about mechanical reproduction when the printing press came about. Similarly, interesting to think of whether a poet putting pen to paper is alienated compared to their forebears in the oral tradition.
Very interesting perspective
thank you so much for making these ideas so understandable! as a photographer i truly appreciate it
Art derives its value through its uniqueness and technology from its unlimited ability to be reproduced. Art is distinguished from technology in that the instructions and expression are one and the same whereas technology and the instructions to make it are separate.
In Anthropology, objects that have no utility / useful value often are viewed as religious artifacts.
Interesting that some actors do have a real audience and physical relationship with their viewers, but they are also being filmed eh. Sitcoms in particular I guess I’m considering, I wonder if the aura is present but then not present when viewed on screen? But also have to consider that tech is not what it was then in 1930s so his considerations would have been limited to in person events or simply film
Envoy your work Drs. Keep it coming!
Thank You! Being an artist and teacher I enjoyed this, and can relate to it!
bless! you are helping me pass my final
Thank you.
Your videos have inspired me to pursue philosophy!
hmm reminds me of discussions in intellectual property law
Ahh, so that's this "aura" the kids have been talking about.
is that a ganesha pendant ellie?
I can't wait to copy all the art that interest me😂🎉 2 which is in the public domain
Imagine being shown a high quality painted forgery of a famous work of art and being told it was the original.
Will you feel the aura in its presence?
That’s a great question and one that should be discussed. Or how about examples of art, music, literature that were ignored or ridiculed at their inception but were later reevaluated and considered works of genius. Did these works not have an “aura” at first but then gained one as they began being accepted by the critical establishment?
well, first person to view and like!
So what???
now the youth has taken the word aura
Would love a video on “The Task of the Translator” and/or “On The Concept of History”
kino eye vibes
Silent films were the norm in the 1930s, no?
Presumably, actors' different use of sound & intonation would have been on Walter Benjamin's mind as a difference between film and stage actors.
By 1931 silent films were finished.
Wow!! All those books. Im sure thruve all bee read?
The argument could be made that art, like religion, has always had a political aspect.
Plato certainly would agree with your assertion.
Mona Lisa would never sell bagels.
Who knows, though? Seems like everybody's "cashing-in & selling-out," these days...
She would be used to sell Kiwi shoe polish though.
I really appreciate this content but the sibilant s sounds are really noticeable 😵maybe there’s something that can be done with the audio input?
Hi
'It's interesting how a Marxist philosopher like Benjamin would have such a consumerist view of art, aiming to bolster the elites benefit from it." R S Pearson
I love you
Your depth of perception schematics surfacing deep rooted reflection on reality engineering hidden connections between arts history, religious cult movements and cultural spiritual warfare mentality fighting within shadows of self image derived out of otherwise voices over Silent living Text documented outcomes of personalized touchy subjective experiences across operations theatre, film productions houses and video games music labels industry rendering different modes of receptions
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ways_of_Seeing introduced me to this concept. So good!
Part that hit me the most was the loss of “aura” and ritualized cult appreciation of art.
100%. Musical reproduction has devalued the entire art.
Wild that he thought reproduction would lead to the defeat of fascism when film and music are made to he consumed and discarded while internalizing points of views and modes of thinking pushed from monopolistic business douches.
Appreciate you taking time to explain an essay that wouldn’t be in my next 10,000 books to read lol
how are you not acting?
the prominence of affirmative action in society reaffirms ideas that i shouldnt be thinking about when thinking about this, but unfortunately, standpoint epistemology is neoliberal colonialism so i have no choice.
I find Benjamin very problematic creating terms like aura. Thanks for your pronunciation of Benjamin’s name by the way. At the time he was writing about aesthetics there was very limited understanding of neuroscience. Trying to discuss artistic output as an aura neglects what has been important in image making as digitization took hold. Essentially summed up by the Facebook name change, meta, what is outside the boundaries of an image. Aura evokes spiritual concepts in readers. So the sense of uniting an image in various technical ways is not addressed by using the word aura. Uniting or connecting imagery such as in movies is like what Benjamin claims in his theorizing. Since he uses aesthetics which is a field in philosophy, it seems his speculation about an aura to especially as Benjamin was a Marxist link aesthetics to realism or scientific stances. One hundred years later then his essay has to be framed by especially in mechanical reproduction what actually happens in uniting or connecting images to bring alive what he was thinking about. Essentially he was describing what is outside (aura) the frame and that connectivity in consumption of moving images.