The advent and development of mechanical reproduction of works of art has significantly changed the nature of the “aura” and its impact on how we view art. Mechanical reproduction, primarily in the form of photography and film, has resulted in what Benjamin calls the destruction of the aura of the work of art.[1] The ability to recreate works of art easily and quickly through such means has in some sense devalued artwork itself, by separating it from the original place in time in which it was captured. The reproduction of the work of art “substitutes a plurality of copies for a unique existence,” drastically changing the value of art and eliminating the importance of the aura.[2] In cyberspace, the trend towards mechanical reproduction of art is exacerbated further by the ability to rapidly share information across broad geographic areas. Thus, the destruction of the aura is completed by the ability to reproduce any work of art with ease on the Internet. Cyberspace represents the current apex of the changing nature of artwork in favor of multiple copies over true authenticity.
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