Walter Benjamin’s Aura in the Age of AI: A Contemporary Craft Perspective

What happens to the “aura” of a work of art when both hands and algorithms can reproduce endlessly? In this brief essay, I engage with Walter Benjamin’s thesis in dialogue with the contemporary craft revival and the emergence of generative AI. Blending critical theory with insight, we examine authenticity, authorship, and the ethics of creation in an era of digital frictionlessness.

For artists, educators, and anyone navigating the tension between tradition and technology, this is a sharp, accessible reflection on what we carry forward and what we risk losing.

Get the 3-page essay on Walter Benjamin, AI, and craft ethics—perfect for educators, artists, and thoughtful makers.