Discussion Board 3

Definitely, art is still art no matter how many times it has been reproduced. Also, art is still would be defined as art no matter which ways it has been reproduced, such as rewriting, reprinting, repainting or mechanically reproduced. Due to the development of technique, reproduction of a work of art has been processed from the manually to mechanically. “In principle a work of art has always been reproducible.” (Benjamin, 1935)

Mechanical reproduction is developed from the woodcut graphic art to lithograph. Mechanical reproduction is among of our daily life, such as a piece of furniture. The original piece of blueprint of the furniture is the original art. Based on the blueprint of this design, the thousands of furniture a factory produced are reproduced art. Furthermore, mechanical reproducibility has very important impact on this society. The stamps and coins are the great examples of reproductions of works of art. They had been reproduced in a great quantity everyday and contributed to the society.

Photography is the art in itself. As same way we defined the art, photography is art made by an artist. A major distinction between a work of painting and a work of photography is done by the different tools. They present different visual experiences to people. Actually, present’s technique makes photography be able to bring the same exact visual experience as we see in the real life.  Mechanical reproduction of photography would be express in photocopy or reprinting of photo.

“Fading away” was created by the Henry Peach Robinson who was the pioneer of pictorialist photography. (Leggat, 1999) In the photograph, it depicted a dying girl and her despaired family members. Due to the shortage of the technique and the desire of learning of photography, Robinson had developed the skill of composition of negatives with his friend, Oscar Rejlander. Since he was used to be an enthusiast of oil painting, he took advantage of knowledge of composition of painting into the photography. Under the help of Oscar Rejlander, Robinson had created the “Fading Away” which was a composition of negatives.

If mechanical reproduction created revolution of art, well then, the digitalization is another tide of the revolution of art as far. Digital products are favorable, such as the digital camera. Nowadays, digital camera does not only have the function of capture the picture and video but also be easy of delivery and store. Maybe in the future, a new technique will take place of digitalization to another tide of revolution.

Works Cited

Benjamin, W. ((1935). TheWork of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. Retrieved 04 21, 2011, from http://www.kpaulsen.com/WalterBenjamin.pdf

Leggat, R. (1999). ROBINSON, Henry Peach. Retrieved 04 21, 2011, from Robert Leggat's Home Page: http://www.rleggat.com/photohistory/history/robinson.htm