Walter Benjamin's "The Work of Art in the Age of Its Mechanical Reproducibility"

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Published 2020-01-11

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In this episode, I turn to Walter Benjamin's seminal text, "The Work of Art in the Age of Its Mechanical Reproducibility." Contrary to what some might think, I try to present the way that Benjamin applauds the 'death' of the aura in the age of mechanical reproducibility and the political ramifications of this moment.

All Comments (21)

@victorlacerda8015 4 years ago

Really like your takes on these subjects. Subscribed.
@mfenjoyer9678 1 year ago

Thank you SO SO much for this. I had a hard time understanding the point of the text in relation to film and you made it so much easier. I had geniune confusion with the language but now I can finally smash that essay I've been putting off haha! 🙌
@terminalglimmer 2 years ago

Thanks for clearing this up! I had trouble sussing out Benjamin's key premises here (I have difficulty reading), and as you pointed out in your explanation, it almost seemed like he was mourning the death of the aura when he meant the opposite. The text makes a LOT more sense to me now in light of this.
@bakedinthekitchen92 3 years ago

thank you for helping me understand the text. this was very helpful
@caseyrobertson9071 3 years ago

Thank you for a such a clear analysis! I'm looking forward to viewing more of your videos.
@Furinkhan 3 years ago

Thank you so much for doing this podcast! <3
@parthpant8894 3 years ago

Very very comprehensive. Thank you so much for interpreting this heavy work for us!! John Berger's book Ways of Seeing and its televised adaptation (Episode 1) is an interesting illustration of Benjamin's ideas- one can also check that out.
@waylonwraith5266 3 years ago

Quickly becoming one of my favorite channels
@alanastewart6199 3 years ago

this was so so helpful and well explained tysm!
@prerna22munshi 3 years ago

Thanks for bringing in this perspective of Benjamin applauding the idea of mechanical reproduction of art. Initially when I read, I thought he was in favour of conserving art in its purist sense. Thank you for bringing out this essential perspective.
@jennak9744 3 years ago

This was super helpful, thank you so much!
@TypoDiabetes 2 years ago

This really broke it down for me, thanks!
@tjasajurman 4 years ago

Wonderful take, I am really thankful for your thoughts!
@CommunityCommentaryCorner 3 years ago

Complete study notes: Walter Benjamin- "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction" https://eliteraturenotes.blogspot.com/p/walter-benjamin-work-of-art-in-age-of.html?m=1
@aaryanpavvitchhabra9265 3 years ago

Just saved my life, thank you so much!
@yassminabdulmalik245 3 months ago

This is a very good video! The ideas are very interesting to discuss, and relate back to our current world problem of the commodification of art and the downplay of the craft, especially in regards to AI generated images
@vauchomarx6733 3 years ago

Really been enjoying your videos lately! Also, I feel like Benjamin, particularly this book, couldn't be more relevant than today, in the age of memes and videos…
@cucu4844 3 years ago

You posted this awhile ago, but I was wondering: acccording to you does benjamin consider the shift to exhibition value as a good thing or not?
@keetahk8542 2 years ago

I have to write a 2000 word essay in 2 days and i think your channel might have just saved me
@asdsdjfasdjxajiosdqw8791 2 years ago

Lol, why is this video only available in 360 and 1080p?