Questions answered, Walter Benjamin's Essay

What is the "Aura" of a work of art?

The aura of a work of art is the time and space of it's presence. The space it exists in provides a distance between the observer and the artwork that allows contemplation. The aura is influenced by physical wear, damage, or change of ownership of the piece over the years. The original art piece has an aura that a reproduction does not. This makes the original authentic.

b) In Benji's mind, what effects did mechanical reproduction, such as film and the camera/photography, have on the viewer's perception of art?

Photography freed the hand from art processes and skills humans have been using throughout history. Looking in the camera lens, pointing a shooting sped the process of pictorial art-making just like film. Because the reproduced art piece is copiable, it can reach more people, eliminating the pilgrimage once taken by the viewer to go see a work. Multiplying the work spreads the "unique existence" of a piece thin, making it less authentic. An original film cannot be seen by multiple people, therefore, they will never experience the original aura of the film.

c) What is meant by the passage: "for the first time in world history, mechanical reproduction emancipates the work of art from its parasitical dependance on ritual."

He uses the example of the photo negative. One can make several prints from that negative, but there is no "original print," each one is the same. Maybe the negative is the original that holds the authenticity, but it is not a work of art...yet. Once an original and it's authenticity does not apply, it is freed from the ritualistic aspect of it, and instead it is based on politics.

d) What mechanically or otherwise reproductive processes are changing the face of art today?

Some reproduced art is cheapened by the quality of it's production. Makers sub out parts of their products, or even the whole thing to be reproduced elsewhere, sometimes cutting corners on quality to save and make more profit. I think the aura of a crappy object doesn't exist, therefore, the one purchasing it doesn't value it. It is disposable.
We also have the design aesthetic out there with digital fabrication, laser cutting and 3D modeling. Some people criticize art designed or produced this way, saying the artist's hand is further away from the artwork. There is precision in this work that the hand cannot achieve, and for me, this sometimes makes it cold and sterile. I appreciate some of this artwork, just as I do with all types art. I have no dislike for it. The computer is just a new tool we use to help fabricate. Whether its a computer program or a table saw, it is still technology. True, gross motor skills are not used with the computer, but lets not go into that now!