The Return of the Aura Through NFT: Crypto Art in the Digital Age

Year 2022, Volume: 9 Issue: 1, 48 - 63, 18.07.2022

Gökhan Kaya , Nimet Önür

Abstract

NFTs, which are gradually expanding the volume of trade in the crypto currency markets, are a virtual investment tool that serves to digitally certify works of art.These digital assets, which bring their users in “uniqueness” by encrypting works their using the blockchain technology use, have brought up Walter Benjamin's argument about works of art in the reproduction process again. Benjamin mentioned the influence of the technologies of the period in which he was engaged on works of art. He suggested that the artwork reproduced by means of technology has lost its special atmosphere (aura). NFT, which is a technology of the digital world today, seems to have the qualities that can restore the uniqueness and aura that Benjamin claims is now lost. Benjamin mentioned the influence of the technologies of the period in which he was engaged on works of art. He suggested that the artwork reproduced by means of technology has lost its special atmosphere (aura). NFT, which is a technology of the digital world today, seems to have the qualities that can restore the uniqueness and aura that Benjamin claims is now lost.In this study, it will be researched whether these digital artworks produced as an NFT form “thanks to technical possibilities” have broken away from the ch aracteristics and historical context of the art work, taking into account the indicators pointed out by Walter Benjamin, have regaıned theır lost aura.

Keywords

NFT, crypto, aura, digital art, Walter Benjamin

NFT Eserler ile Auranın Dönüşü: Dijital Çağda Kripto Sanat

Abstract

Kripto para piyasalarındaki ticaret hacmini giderek genişleten NFT’ler, sanat eserlerini dijital olarak sertifikalandırmaya yarayan sanal bir yatırım aracıdır. Kullandığı blokzincir teknolojisi vasıtasıyla eserleri şifreleyerek kullanıcılarına “biriciklik” vaadinde bulunan bu dijital varlıklar, Walter Benjamin’in yeniden üretim sanat yapıtları hakkındaki savını tekrar gündeme getirmiştir. Benjamin, -içinde bulunduğu dönem için- teknolojinin sanat eserleri üzerindeki etkisine değinerek, teknoloji vasıtasıyla yeniden üretilen sanat eserinin özel atmosferini (aurasını) yitirdiğini ileri sürmüştür. Bugünün bir teknolojisi olarak sunulan NFT ise, Benjamin’in artık yitip gittiğini ileri sürdüğü biricikliği ve aurayı yeniden geri getirebilecek niteliklere sahipmiş gibi gözükmektedir.

Bu çalışmada teknolojik imkanlar “sayesinde” NFT formu olarak üretilen bu dijital sanat eserinin, Walter Benjamin’in işaret ettiği göstergeler ile tarihsel bağlamdan ve sanat eseri özelliklerinden kopup kopmadığı, bununla birlikte ise kaybolan aurasını yeniden kazanıp kazanmadığı konusu araştırılacaktır.

Keywords

NFT, Kripto, Aura, Dijital Sanat, Walter Benjamin

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