We are being 'Philosophical' now...hmmm

Questions and Answer Time!

Mr Walter Benjamin, come on down! For the prize or posting this blog, how do the ideas from your ‘Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction’ apply to contemporary digital media? Your time starts… NOW!

>>Propaganda through mass media is still a major issue within contemporary digital media. Most media today is supported by some form of advertising and influential information.

Now, there was a time when ‘art’ was made by artists who were skilled professionals. Now that anyone with a computer can create things digitally, (music, images, videos, etc), what does that mean for ‘art’?

>>Just because the digital age is growing, it is not threatening to art in any way, its more or less expanding the horizons of what art can be. Creative expression is not justified just by a brush or a guitar in a live band, whilst these are forms of art, all artistic expression of creative process is art. Technology is just a broader expansion.

Whilst a photograph of her majesty the queen with a bikini on gives us a chuckle, is a photoshopped image “authentic”?

>>Whilst Photoshop can be a funny way of manipulating a photograph, its also a great way to perfect images. A photograph may have imperfections, whether is be bad lighting, facial marks or things that where accidently within the picture. Photoshop is a great tool. However, it has been manipulated particularly by paparazzi making up false accusations regarding celebrities and the like. When used properly the authenticity of a photograph can still be in place, the photograph is just enhanced. However when it is abused, photos loose authenticity and can create issues.

And now for the final question, the tie breaker, the one to win, Do digital ‘things’ have an ‘aura’ (in Benjamin’s terms)? (jeopardy music begins to play)

>> Lock it in Eddy! Computer says NO! Walter Benjamin believes that digital ‘things’ DO NOT have an ‘aura’

DING DING DING DING!!!

YOU HAVE WON!

- The satisfaction of a job well done! Go you!

Until next week bloggers, stay away from Brittany Spears!
Kudos!
xo