In the reading, Benjamin expressed his view toward how modernisation and technology may potentially harm the authenticity and aura of an art piece. He believed that reproduction of art work will devalue the art work as the quintessence is its historal tesitmony . Howeve, I have a rather different point of view with Benjamin as I think authenticity is not the only thing that makes an art piece great. It is indeed that authenticity contribute to scarcity of the art piece and without it, the value of the work would be deprived. However, the ability to inspire people and express one’s point of view are also great factors in terms of art production. People who were originally not into art will have lower cost to underatnd or appreciatiate it because of the modern techonologies which makes the art piece more powerful.
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To be fair, Benjamin does not say anything about authenticity makes great art piece. But I think you made a good point on how art production/reproduction possesses a certain potential to inspire people. Reflecting on Benjamin’s point of view, do you think he would agree? Or is it something that concerns him as well? He also argues that “… as soon as the criterion of authenticity ceases to be applied to artistic production, the whole social function of art is revolutionized. Instead of being founded on ritual, it is based on a different practice: politics” (p.25). What is it about the artwork reproducibility that he is suspicious about?