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The Work of Art by Walter Benjamin
Written in the 1930s, Benjamin’s essay analyzes how technological reproduction alters the meaning of art. Introducing the concept of “aura,” he contends that mass replication transforms authenticity, perception, and the political function of culture.
Why It Matters:
It offers a lens for evaluating originality and intention in an era of infinite replication, sharpening questions of authenticity, presence, and discernment central to contemporary taste formation.