Walter Benjamin stats that “the reproduction of a singular image has an effect on the meaning and value of the original” and that “the meaning of an original work of art changes when it is reproduced: authencity of the aura cannot be reproduced.”
Reproducing an image is an easy way to have access to the image without having to go anywhere or pay anything. With simple access to the internet anyone is able to pull up Andy Warhol’s painting of the Campbell’s Soup Cans. Now someone can make this there profile picture, background picture, save the image, print the image, send and share it. Obviously you, yourself know this image is not the original, there is one original in New York in the Museum of Modern Art. Going to see the original work of art is an experience of both the art and artist. Gazing upon the original, you know that Andy Warhol made THAT exact painting; his hands were on that painting. There is a true sense of aura standing in front of the original.
So, to say that reproducing an image changes the meaning, I believe is somewhat true. You will never get that same feeling of seeing the original in the flesh compared to buying a poster of it at HMV. The fact is that if someone wants to experience that image everyday in their home, for example, they may go out and buy a poster or print the image. There is no way to have the original in your house, so by bringing in a reproduced image I believe you can create your own aura of the image. They know that is not the original hanging on your wall, so it is more about how you respond and others respond to the image.
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