Study Task 3: Benjamin and Mechanical Reproduction

Benjamin Notes:

Class has less importance in the art world than the method of production.

Such processed brush away outmoded concepts such as creativity, eternal value and mystery.

Art produced in such a way is useless to fascists.

Aura withers in an age of such mechanical processes.

Work reproduced in such a way detaches it from its rational heritage.

Futile thought had been earlier wasted on whether photography is an art.

The question of whether the invention of photography had changed art wasn't raised.

Mechanical reproduction changes the masses view towards art.

War is beautiful.

'American Hustle' by Matt Taylor is an example of art in modern times being used by means of mechanical reproduction. This work created entirely digitally using Adobe Photoshop allows for wider production and distribution however Benjamin (1936) argues that art created this way brushes "aside a number of outmoded concepts, such as creativity and genius, eternal value and mystery". He believes that work produced in such a way is easy and forgettable but most importantly it loses it's mystery as one can assume how it was produced when they view it. Art such as this would be "completely useless for the purpose of fascism" as everyone can get a copy - it isn't original or rare. Then in lies the problem - with art so easy to produce a certain aura is lost. Benjamin states that the aura of such work "withers in the age of mechanical reproduction". With it so easy to produce and replicate, where is its value? He goes on to say that work in such a way "substitutes a plurality of copies for a unique existence. It's value comes from there being only one of it, this is why the fascists would look down on art such as this - it's an easy commodity. They could own a copy, but so might their neighbours, family or friends. But is mass produced digital work actually art? Benjamin states that, "Much futile thought had been devoted to the question of whether photography is an art. The primary question - whether the very invention of photography had not transformed the entire nature of art - was not raised". Why the question of whether digital work is art still remains, surely a more apt question, especially in connection with Taylor's "American Hustle" is how has it changed art.

Research: The Trews Cameron's Speech

Russell Brand's 'Trews' breaks down a speech by David Cameron concerning immigration and the EU. At first glance this doesn't tie into big money in politics, however, Brand goes on to suggest that the media is biased against the EU because it is a 'powerful enough body to oppose corporate power'.

He also points out how Cameron minces his words to get his version of the truth to exist within the world which I think is both brilliant, yet terrifying.

Research: BBC Free Speech

I caught this video today from BBC 3's Free Speech which discussed tax avoidance, benefits and social classes, but most importantly it touched upon money in politics. The topic suggested that certain big businesses help create tax laws and then manipulate these laws to avoid paying taxes.

Post by BBC Free Speech.

There are many interesting things here that I could potentially discuss or use to help develop my essay.

Essay: Thoughts

It's still quite early into the year but I'm thinking that my essay will revolve around politics in some form or another. There are many possible routes I could go down, such as:

Big money in politics, can it be removed?
Who really runs Britain? The government or those that finance it. Throughout this I would look at big businesses involving the Murdoch empire, banking and the financial crash of 2008. What is lobbying? How do business men worm their way into politics?

How have political cartoons commented on politics throughout the years?
How have political cartoons affected the world throughout the years? Dr Suess is synonymous with WW2 political cartoons. Who else has there been? Who is there now?

Is a green planet possible in a world where politicians refuse to accept it?
A study into how politics is currently preventing a green world as the economy is dependant on fossil fuels etc. How to be green? Does our government actually want to be green or is money all that matters? What is TTIP and what role does it play in all of this?

Study Task 2: Library Research: Society and Politics

The image ‘Stop the Arrogance’ by Michael Mabry for the political magazine NOZONE IX could be considered a strong example of creating an illustration that forgoes the obvious purpose of commercial use. It presents a large blue figure with red a white striped trousers (an allusion to the United States of America flag) standing atop a polluted world with its hands above two holstered guns prepared to be drawn. The piece appears to actively argue against the political/capitalist attitudes of the U.S and it's polluting ways thus falling in line with The First Things First Manifesto (1964) which hoped “that our society will tire… and that the prior call on our skills will be worthwhile purposes”.

However this piece appears to perhaps harm the revised First Things First Manifesto (2000) that suggests a revolution of sorts within the artistic community. It proposes “a reversal of priorities” (2000) away from commercial ends. At first it may seem that ‘Stop the Arrogance’ is doing just that, which could be considered good. Yet when you take into account Michael Beirut’s belief that such a reversal of priorities would replace “mass manipulation for commercial ends with mass manipulation for cultural and political ends” (2004) the idea is somewhat sullied. By making a political comment, the piece has become political in itself.

So while the piece may be effectual in making a comment against capitalism and certain governing it develops a new purpose, one of politics - thus becoming a slave to a different purpose.

Study Task 1: Society and Politics

After reading the First Things First (1964 & 2000) and Bruce Mau incomplete Manifestos I personally felt drawn towards the FTF (1964) and Mau. I have an unusual dislike towards Graphic Design due to its commercial nature, yet I failed to appreciate the FTF (2000) despite its suggestions to rethink the purpose of Graphic Design. At the time I couldn't understand why.

It was only with the introduction of the Michael Beirut footnotes that I understood why I didn't like it. Beirut suggests that the FTF (2000) manifesto is by and large unachievable by design. The ideas behind it suggest a radical movement to change commercial design into something more beneficial to humankind, yet Beirut believes this to be a simple 'shock tactic' to augment readership/response. He instead proposes that that commercial design can instead be somewhat altered from within by encouraging artists to put some of their own meaning behind their work instead of the commission being a job for money'.

Study Task 1: Society and Politics: Quotes and Illustrations

My two quotes from the manifestos are:

"We hope that our society will tire of gimmick merchants, status salesmen and hidden persuaders, and that the prior call on our skills will be worthwhile purposes." -

"Avoid software. The problem with software is everyone has it." -

The two pictures I have chosen are:

"Stop the Arrogance" New Poster Art (p136)

Cees, W., de Jong, L. (2008) New Poster Art, London: Thames and Hudson

I feel that this illustration ties in well with the First Things First quote as it is a piece that is actively trying to change something rather than being openly for a commercial use. This is exactly the kind of purpose the Manifesto urges the reader to work towards.

??? The Art of Looking Sideways (p251)
Fletcher, A. (2001) The Art of Looking Sides: Phiadon

This illustration ties in to Bruce Mau's incomplete manifesto in my opinion as it is of someone drawing in an analogue method which in turn has created using an analogue method. Software is too often relied upon in todays illustrative society, with there being a trend of late to move back towards hand crafted methods of creation.