Little History of Photography

One concept I am really struggling with as I finish my thesis is the idea of the “aura,” which was so named by literary critic Walter Benjamin. He is a beautiful writer, but I have it on good authority that the concept of the “aura” is one of the most difficult things he talks about. That makes me feel a little bit better about all the time I’m investing in trying to understand it. Here’s a sample of what I’m trying to untangle right now. It’s from a 1931 essay entitled “Little History of Photography:”

“What is aura, actually? A strange weave of space and time: the unique appearance or semblance of distance, no matter how close it may be. While at rest on a summer’s noon, to trace a range of mountains on the horizon, or a branch that throws its shadow on the observer, until the moment or the hour become part of their appearance–this is what it means to breathe the aura of those mountains, that branch. Now, to bring things closer to us, or rather to the masses, is just as passionate an inclination in our day as the overcoming of whatever is unique in every situation by means of its reproduction. Every day the need to possess the object in close-up in the form of a picture, or rather a copy, becomes more imperative. And the difference between the copy, which illustrated papers and newsreels keep in readiness, and the original picture is unmistakable. Uniqueness and duration are as intimately intertwined in the latter as are transience and reproducibility in the former.”

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current book: see above
current music: “A Perfect Day” by Eiffel Tower. sweet, gritty pop bliss.
current socks: red stripes n’ hearts. yes, I know valentine’s day was two months ago.