The Work of Art in the Age of Its Technological Reproducibility - Charly Joung

In what ways is Walter Benjamin saying that our experience of the "art object" is diminished by the tools of mechanical reproduction (photography and film)?

Benjamin feels that the tools of mechanical reproduction has diminished art's aura via the distance that photographs produce between the viewer and the piece of art. He explains that the uniqueness of experiences through art is lost through the repetitive association in photography.

In what ways is he saying that our experience of the art object is expanded by these new tools?

Benjamin admits that photography is an "important visual activity within itself" and that its strong bond with art is only natural. He also explains that photography, although he feels it diminishes an art object's aura, has made the art object more accessible to the masses and allows the art object to have a chance to gain recognition.