Walter Benjamin's ideas of mass production are relevant to contemporary culture through the dumbing down of art, whatever form of art it is. But another view that should be considered is that mass production not only makes what was valuable unvaluable, but by producing such great numbers and advertising it or sharing it or selling it or using it, It becomes known and acknowledged by the masses and the value of the art is recognised and it is taught and studied and recreated amoungst those who appreciate it.
Art is now the label for a much broader genre. Art isn't just thought of as painting or classical music, it is more widely liked and accepted.
Photoshop can not only alter the image, it can change a picture to, for example, black and white, not only making this picture more authentic looking (as the original form of photographs were void of colour) but the act of changing the picture to black and white erases and authenticity that it once had.
The aura of a piece of art is detroyed after its reproduction has taken place, like ripping apart a piece of its soul with ever copy made. Almost from the moment the peice of art is concieved the aura is diminishing from the original muse.
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