Benjamin Response: Jorell Jimenez

I think Benjamin makes a valid point about mechanical reproduction when he talks about its aura. Replicating a painting per se will not invoke the same authenticity of the original, or carry all of the same value, whether intrinsic or extrinsic, that the original would have. While replicated work may lose some of the value of the original, it does provide an opportunity to extend the values that remain. If a fifteenth century piece of a monument or landscape was recreated via computer or other means, it will lose the authentic feel of the original, but it will increase its longevity for those who wish to view the work in case the original is ever lost or damaged. So while I agree that the “aura” is diminished in a replication, there is still a prominent reason to replicate art over time.