Mr Benjiman goes to university

Hi everyone



I should start by saying that I really do like reading. In saying that it took me a while to get into Walter Benjiman's article on the...hang on I'll copy and past the title..."The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction". In other words I think he means "What happens to Art when we stick it in a photocopier". But that's just me and I doubt that Walt even knew what a photocopier is.



I think that if Walt were around today he'd immediatly freak at the mass reproduction of - well everything. To him the original was the be all and the end all. To me the copy is the closest I'll ever get. I think I kinda understand what he means when he says, "Everyday the urge grows stronger to get hold of an oject at very close range by way of its likeness, its reproduction."

For example, I'd never actually go searching for his article in a library catalogue so I can view the original. But the internet has somewhat replicated the article and I can read it the comfort of my own home.

I am also a massive fan of the mp3. Most of the artists I'll never actually get to see and therefore I can't see the original. To me the song file is an artwork. It's like a photograph of the Mona Lisa - just because it's in a photo does that make it any less of an artwork? In the Mr Bean movie where he distroys an original old painting and replaces it with a scale replica of it, no one notices the difference. So to them that had the same aura as the orginal otherwise they would've noticed.

Which leads onto the advant of Photoshop. Confession: I have NEVER used photoshop!! I know enough that it is used to merge pics together and edit photos etc. I think when used to create 'art' it is authentic. I say this because if it is an original idea a person - would it be so different if that person created that idea using a paintbrush and oils on a canvas? Really it's just using a mouse and applications on a computer screen.

I think I've kinda answered the task and hope that you guys understand what I'm trying to say.

Anyways...gonna go now so I'll cya next time!