Deep Thunder- Benjamin

“Even the most perfect reproduction of a work of art is lacking in one element: its presence in time and space, its unique existence to where it happens to be.” –Walter Benjamin

In today’s digital age, a lot of the art or icons in our culture never really existed in time and space as an original. Because of this, nothing is lost in the mechanical reproduction as it was never there in the first place. Let’s use Mickey Mouse as an example. This image, or art, was created with the express intent of reproducing the living hell out of it for profit. Although there is probably an “original” final sketch by Mr. Disney or another artist who worked for him, Mickey is likely a composite and a result of a team effort. So he, in his original form, is scattered about in bits and pieces and the image that comes through on your TV of him is actually more complete and authentic.
This goes even further now. Let’s look at Nemo, the lovable cartoon fish with the voice of Ellen Degeneres. Nemo was created digitally, by a team, and in his original form is a series of 1s and 0s on disks and computers somewhere. Looking at the credits of the movie will clue you into this. The producer or director will assign teams of artists and their respective computers. Each team works on a specific part of the character, the scales for example. Another team works on the eyes, etc. The voice belongs in a completely different time and space (and human being). So, when it is assembled on your video game or DVD, each representation is an original assemblage, lacking absolutely nothing.