Modern Vision

Image from: www.gooddesignbaddesign.com/?p=310

In consideration to the reading "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction" by Walter Benjamin I disagree with his statement, "To an even greater degree the work of art produced becomes the work of art designed for reproducibility. From a photographic negative, for example, one can make any number of prints; to ask for the authentic print makes no sense". However, I believe in a contemporary society with an emphasis on digital design and manufacture, authenticity plays a large role on the values we give design. This value for the authentic has also started to move into other areas of design, such as graphic and industrial as well as many others. I think a good example of this is the recent reformation of packaging in the music industry. Physical releases for music are becoming less and less popular because of online music stores and alike. To counteract this, the music industry has begun to make collectables, with the aim that the extras will make the music authentic and desirable, so infact more valuable.

The above image shows the packaging for the disco pop group Grum, the bright graphics and patterns appear to make an artwork, with the aim that the packaging will make the C.D. a collectable and appear authentic in comparison to buying a file from an online store. This is a case where the music by the artist is not treated as a mass reproduction but as a valued or authentic piece of work. The reading also states that "the technique of reproduction detaches the reproduced object from the domain of tradition", however I think that recently society has shifted its values and considers things that are authentic, collectable or different in comparison to the normal to be of more value. Therefore it it would appear that our views on value and authenticity have returned to those of traditional beliefs before us. The fact that we are able to readily reproduce objects and digital forms as we please in today's society means we often strive to have one offs, originals, or authentic items because we consider them to hold more value.

Design + Craft

Image from: http://deputy-dog.com

The reading "The Revival of Handicraft" by William Morris defines handicraft as "all products of labour which have any claims to be considered beautiful", which incinuates that any and all handmade products/arts are of a certain aesthetic appeal. It also states that handicraft is often considered to be of greater value. In consideration to today's society, I think that this statement is of significant relevance, particularly in relation to activites such as urban knitting or graffiti knitting. Graffiti knitting involves incorporating the skills needed for the craft of knitting and installs these within urban environments; whilst this is not a traditional use for the craft it does revive our opinions about how we use both a combination of design and craft.

As we have become more aware of our environment, I find it interesting that we are using it in conjunction with our craft and arts. I find graffiti knitting to be a good example of contemporary expression as it shows how our values about the world and society are changing just as William Morris predicted. In the images above we see the knitting intertwining the brances of trees, lamp post, chains and handrails giving these everyday objects an element of surprise and adding value. Handicraft is considered to be beautiful so it is no surprise that we want to make our environment beautiful by incorporating the graffiti knitting into it therefore indicating how we value both the environment and craft more. I think that our use of craft as an art form, such as that in graffiti knitting, represents the rivival of the value and significance of craft in a contemporary society, particularly as place emphasis on aestheics and quality.