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MACHINE DREAMS

Alexei Taylor, Author

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Aura

Aura
is a special atmosphere surrounding an object which is created by the object itself. As Benjamine argues, “that which withers in the age of mechanical reproduction is the aura of the work of art.”(Benjamine 221) The base for technological interference into the aura of art is “Namely, the desire of contemporary masses to bring things “closer” spatially and humanly...”(Benjamine  223)

The following videos demonstrate how the technology modifies the aura of art piece. In the first video people are fully plunged into the aura created by the musical piece in the concert hall.

 

In the next video the same music piece is "packed" in the music box.While the melody itself remains the same, the music piece is creating different aura.

 Finally, as you are sitting in front of your computer, you no longer have the same aura as in the concert hall or a room with a music box, however, you still hear the same melody and can imagine original aura of the music piece. Nonetheless, you perceive these videos in the context of where you are and what you are doing at the moment. Figuratively speaking, these videos are “packed” in yet another box, and your perception of them depends on where and how you open that box. Hence, technology packs art in mass production boxes that can be opened anywhere and thus alters their original aura. 

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