WEEK 3 DESMA 9

 In the context of industrialization, Walter Benjamin's essay "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction" emphasizes how mechanization affects authenticity and creativity. Benjamin contends that when art is mechanically replicated, it loses its "aura" and becomes more suited for mass consumption and political purposes rather than ritual and authenticity. Ridley Scott's Blade Runner (1982), a dystopian future film where humans coexist with "replicants"—bioengineered robots created to mimic humans—echoes this worry.

    The cityscape in the movie reflects Benjamin's concern that mechanical reproduction would diminish the public's awareness of the aura and authenticity of art. The replicants' battle to be perceived as "real" reflects society's ambiguity regarding what constitutes authenticity. The way society reacts to this change is quite conflicted. As demonstrated in Blade Runner, mechanization creates a deep sense of alienation even as it offers accessibility, ease, and new avenues for expression. Humans' fear of obsolescence in a mechanized world is symbolized by the replicants' rebellion against their predetermined lifespans and yearning for more life.Benjamin's theory enables us to comprehend this reaction as a genuine cultural condition rather than merely a sci-fi phobia. We must acknowledge how industrial and digital technologies are changing not only the creation of art but also our thoughts, emotions, and interpersonal relationships.

Alex Robins December 07. (2021, February 8). Theory in studio: Walter Benjamin and the concept of aura. Burnaway. https://burnaway.org/magazine/theory-in-studio-walter-benjamin-and-the-concept-of-aura/?utm_source

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). The work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Work-of-Art-in-the-Age-of-Mechanical-Reproduction?utm_source

Kirsch, A. (2006, August 14). The philosopher stoned. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/08/21/the-philosopher-stoned?utm_source

Ross, A. (2014, September 8). The naysayers. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/09/15/naysayers?utm_source

An expressionist illustration of Walter Benjamin

Edmund Burke
Adorno and Benjamin debating art in the technological age sustained one of the twentieth centurys richest intellectual...

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 1 Desma 9

Image
Hi! My name is Kaitlyn Terry. As a psychology major, "two cultures" speaks to the balance between the scientific study of the mind and the more humanistic aspects of understanding behavior. It allows me to explore more of the research and can help me think more critically and creatively. The article "The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution" by C.P. Snow examines the growing divide between the sciences and the humanities. He contends that thinking is becoming fragmented into conflicting cultures, which limits people's ability to comprehend and interact with complicated societal issues. Snow accuses intellectual elites in the humanities of undervaluing scientific knowledge, contending that dialogue and understanding between these groups impede advancement and the creation of a broader plan for addressing global issues. Going on the walk makes you realize a lot when you look at different spots. UCLA's campus structure reflects a divide between sciences a...
Read more

week 8

Image
 The way we think of life and how we create with it has changed as a result of the DESMA 9 materials' exploration of the fusion of biology and design. Utilizing life, bio art is evolving into a creative medium in which scientists and artists work together to create expressive and functional systems using DNA, cells, and living organisms. In his TED Talk, "DNA Folding in Detail," Paul Rothemund showed how DNA can be folded at the atomic level to create intricate structures like boxes, smiley faces, and nanomachines. This technique, called DNA origami, treats DNA like code and folds it like paper, demonstrating the convergence of biology and computation. Making Stuff, the PBS NOVA documentary Smaller, introduced nanotechnology, such as spider-silk materials that are more durable than steel, micro-sensors for environmental change, and nanobots for medical repair. Like bio artists, scientists frequently imitate biological systems, take inspiration from nature's exquisite ...
Read more

week 9

Image
       The neuroscience + art resources changed our perspective on the brain as an organ and a tool for understanding, creativity, and expression. Since art frequently discusses the brain and its limitations, functions, and structures, there is a close connection between the two. Real neural data is used in Greg Dunn's fMRI-inspired artwork to produce complex visuals that make science relatable and tangible. The Neuroculture project by Suzanne Anker suggests that science is not sterile but rather full of poetic potential by obfuscating the distinction between biological forms and beautiful objects. The neuroaesthetics readings made us reevaluate our assumptions by demonstrating how our biology is hardwired to react to art. Because it mimics natural patterns that indicate health and vitality, symmetry is frequently regarded as beautiful. This demonstrates how taste and preference are profoundly biological in nature, in addition to being cultural. From Salvador Dalí's ...
Read more