Week 3: Robotics & Art

"The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction" focuses on the impact of mechanical reproduction on art. Walter asserts that mechanical reproduction, which allows for the mass production and dissemination of art, has fundamentally changed the way people experience art. He argues that the unique and authentic quality of a work of art, such as through printing or photography, is lost in mechanical reproduction. In addition, he notes that the rise of mechanical reproduction has political implications, as it democratizes access to art and challenges the authority of the traditional art world. 

Figure 1. Industrialization

This perspective reminds me of the theme of "The Nightingale" by Hans Christian Andersen, a fairytale allegory about the impact of industrialization on nature and art. Essentially, the story is about an emperor who becomes enamored with the singing of a nightingale. However, the emperor receives a mechanical nightingale, believing it to be an improvement of the original bird. The mechanical nightingale eventually breaks down, and the emperor becomes gravely ill. 

The story can be a critique of the industrialization and mechanization of society and how it can lead to a loss of appreciation for the beauty and authenticity of nature and art. The story suggests that while mechanical reproduction can imitate and reproduce art, it cannot replicate the essence of the original work.

Figure 2. Nightingale

Conversely, Douglas Davis focuses on the impact of digital technology on art. He argues that digital technology has further expanded the possibilities of mechanical reproduction and has made art even more accessible and democratic. He notes that the internet has enabled artists to distribute their work globally and has created new ways for artists to collaborate and engage with audiences. Davis also suggests that the rise of digital technology has challenged traditional notions of authorship and ownership in art. 

Figure 3. Digital Technology

I think it is an interesting topic as AI is growing and machine learning is constantly improving. How will the increasing use of AI in art production and reproduction challenge traditional notions of authenticity and originality in the context of industrialization and mass production?

Sources:

1. Andersen, Hans Christian. “The Nightingale.” Hans Christian Andersen, http://hca.gilead.org.il/nighting.html. Accessed 21 April 2023.

2. Benjamin, Walter. "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, 1936." (1935).

3. Bishop, Kelly. “Is AI Music a Genuine Threat To Real Artists?” VICE, 16 February 2023, https://www.vice.com/en/article/88qzpa/artificial-intelligence-music-industry-future. Accessed 21 April 2023.

4. Davis, Douglas. “The Work of Art in the Age of Digital Reproduction (An Evolving Thesis: 1991-1995).” Leonardo, vol. 28, no. 5, 1995, pp. 381–86. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/1576221. Accessed 21 Apr. 2023.

5. Gayford, Martin. “Robot Art Raises Questions about Human Creativity.” MIT Technology Review, 15 February 2016, https://www.technologyreview.com/2016/02/15/162067/robot-art-raises-questions-about-human-creativity/. Accessed 21 April 2023.

Images:

1. “The birth of industrialization and how it changed the world.” Newsela, 3 April 2020, https://newsela.com/read/natgeo-industrial-revolution-labor-life/id/53440/. Accessed 21 April 2023.

2.  “The Nightingale on Behance.” Behance, 28 September 2010, https://www.behance.net/gallery/726135/The-Nightingale. Accessed 21 April 2023.

3. “Changing Face of Digital Technology to Take Innovation to New Heights.” ECOM SCHOOL, 9 February 2020, https://ecomschool.io/changing-face-of-digital-technology-to-take-innovation-to-new-heights/. Accessed 21 April 2023.