The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, Andrew Wells

Some Important Quotes that I felt were Key:

"In principle a work of art has always been reproducible" (WB, 19).

-By this quote I understand that all artifacts made by man can be redone to the typical area of genera. For instance; a song can be created through the beat and idea of a certain genre already created.

"Its easier to exhibit a portrait bust that can be sent here and there than to exhibit the statue of divinity that has its fixed place in the interior of a temple " (WB, 23)

-By this quote I understand that it is better to examine something that has problems then to examine something that is flawless. (I may not be thinking well outside the box.)

"...today photography and the film are the most serviceable exemplifications of the new function" (WB, 24)

- Self explainable.

"The camera that presents the performance of the film actor to the public need no respect the performance as an integral whole. Guided by the cameraman, the cameraman continually changes it's position with respect to the performance" (WB, 25)

-I believe this quote to be one of my favorites. This is because I can construct a visual mental image. We as the viewer through the eyes of the cameraman we are forced to understand what "they" want us to understand. (Hegemonic)

" Mechanical reproduction of art changes the reaction of the masses toward art" (WB, 29)

-This quote is self explanatory but is needed in understanding what the author is going for. We are more inclined to be attracted to authentic art rather than art reproduced.

" Only war makes it possible to mobilize all of todays technical resources while maintaining the property system" (WB, 34)

-At this point in the article, Walter Benjamin's writing is getting more complex in understanding. What I understand from this quote is that war is viewed as something monstrous yet positive. War, as stated by Benjamin, is : "war is beautiful because it establishes man's domination over the subjugated machinery by means of gas masks..." He best puts it by saying that war demonstrates that we are not mature enough to incorporate technology in society.

Any thoughts, ideas pr concerns?