#mass produced art

[bitter69uk]

Born on this day: British artist Joseph Henry Lynch (28 October 1911 – 16 January 1989), far better known simply as “J H Lynch”. When it comes to kitsch mid-twentieth century art, his only rivals are Vladimir Tretchikoff and of course the Keanes. No home is complete without a framed print of Lynch’s mass-produced idealized portraits of bouffant-haired, false-eyelashed temptresses like Tina, Woodland Goddess, Water Nymph or Autumn Leaves (pictured). If you go to a vintage furniture flea market and there are NO J H Lynch prints on offer, walk out immediately!

[arttheory2024]

7.1 The Aura

Walter Benjamin’s (2008) theory of the Aura describes a cheapening/lessening of the inherent value and specialness of a work of art once it is mechanically reproduced. He considers the Aura of a piece to be its quality of originality in its place in history, culture, and time, as well as the exact physicality of a work. Once a piece is reproduced, it loses aspects of its Aura, whether that be its place in culture/history, or the nature of its physicality (for example, turning an oil painting into a print in reproduction); this negatively affects the way audiences view and interact with a work. 

I can see some truth to Benjamin’s theory when considering merchandise for artworks such as socks, t shirts, or ties with images of famous works on them. There is a distinct separation and difference after witnessing a work of art in that manner. I am not against this kind of reproduction, but can see where Benjamin is coming from when facing this specific example. However, I don’t believe Benjamin’s theory holds much truth when comparing it to contemporary art that was specifically designed for commodities. I think reproductions of Warhol’s work for example do not lose their Aura due to the original works being created with such commercialized care and intent. How can we claim that type of art loses an Aura during reproduction when the authenticity of that work is inherent to its commercial nature? 

I found two articles defending mass produced art as authentic art. They both exemplify easily mass produced works such as photographs and prints, and support these works as art through their aesthetic nature. Vassilev (2023) argues that changing society creates allowances for mass art to function as more historic art forms used to. Chapman (2003) emphasizes the artistry of such works despite their mass reproducible nature. 

References

Benjamin, W. (2008). The work of art in the age of its technological reproducibility, second version. In M. W. Jennings, B. Doherty, & T. Y. Levin (Eds.), The Work of Art in the Age of Its Technological Reproducibility, and Other Writings on Media (E. Jephcott, R. Livingstone, H. Eiland, et al., Trans.). The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.

Chapman, L. H. (2003). Studies of the Mass Arts. Studies in Art Education, 44(3), 230–245. https://doi.org/10.1080/00393541.2003.11651741 

Vassilev, K. (2023). The Aura of the Object and the Work of Art: A Critical Analysis of Walter Benjamin’s Theory in the Context of Contemporary Art and Culture. Arts 12, no. 2: 59. https://doi.org/10.3390/arts12020059

[valenrepetto]

*drops and runs away*

[shazleen]

FINAL 3 DAYS TO PRE-ORDER YOUR CHILCHUCKS!!!

>>> Pre-Order stickers of your favourite girl dad union rep now!!

Pre-Orders close on June 1st, and I'll be ordering stickers on June 3rd, to hopefully ship out in early July.

This will be the ONLY RUN of these stickers, as I don't like to reprint fan-art :,) So get them now if you want them!!

[samthecookielord]

Idk if im gonna go anywhere with this i just like designing the outfits

[onesacrificiallamb]

Being sick sucks. Have some cookie designs

[sleepytoycollection]

If there is anything I have ever made I would defend as high art, it's Centaurbie. Genuinely. Any work that instills such deep reactions from people has to be.

[khaliarart]

Make sure to stop by the Conventia gift shop to pick up your complimentary Valentine’s card💖✨

[roszabell]

i miss……my 2020 pandemic art of them……..

[adelphenium]

from (winter) coats to (atlantic) coast <3

[anshares]

I dont think ill be able to turn these into keychains due to the restriction on danmei fan merch imma just post them

[emilinqa]

disco elysium if harry was the worst woman alive and kim was a beautiful butch lesbian

[nichelleladonna]

"i made sourdough during 2020 lockdowns"

"i learned to knit during 2020 lockdowns"

that's really cute. i made a lifetime supply of fanart for the 2007 hit canadian cartoon, total drama island:

[heavensmortuary]

honestly I think the best thing I've done to gain confidence to Simply Make Things is to watch really awful movies no one likes because if you watch enough of them you'll find pinpricks of beauty in really shitty b-rated stuff. you will unlock a new appreciation and joy for things I promise

[climbdraws]

sorry for not posting more art, I've been feeling really weary of posting stuff considering how much stuff gets stolen & resold...especially since I sell my own art...maybe I wouldn't care so much if I wasn't making merch but it's getting to a breaking point

[haunthouse]

happy halloween valentines day!