Approaches to Walter Benjamin’s «The Arcades Project» (Literary and Cultural Theory)

Walter Benjamin is one of the most important figures of modern culture. The authors focus within this book on Benjamin as a philosopher, or rather as a critic of modernism entangled in tradition (mainly Jewish), but also as a writer. Philosophical and philological readings are accompanied by essays presenting the complex biography of Benjamin and numerous, often unexpected, parallels which indicate traces of his reflections in works of other artists. In consequence, «The Arcades Project», which can be described as Benjamin’s opus vitae, is not only a picturesque history of Parisian arcades of the mid-19th century. It is also a polyphonic text, composed of quotations, commentaries and footnotes, a discussion of the sense of history and the literary work of art that surprises with its meandering quality. Cover Table of contents Frequently Cited Editions Philosophical Approach Return of the gaze. The name as idea and dialectical image (Adam Lipszyc) Man as Name Giver: Some Non-Elective Affinities between Benjamin and Heidegger (Agata Bielik-Robson) Biographical Approach Benjamin, a Jew (Katarzyna Kuczyńska-Koschany) A Discourse of the Master Benjamin with Death and Life (Roman Kubicki) Textual Approach In the Labyrinth of Benjamin’s Arcades Project: The Flâneur, the Collector, and the Gambler as Readers of the Nineteenth Century (Jerzy Kałążny) Paris in Walter Benjamin’s Arcades Project – on the Threshold of Modernity (Lidia Banowska) The Poet of Awakening (Jerzy Borowczyk) Photography and The Arcades Project (Wiesław Ratajczak) The Arcades Project, or the Melancholy of “Editing” (Piotr Śniedziewski) Context-Based Approach Benjamin as a Commentator on Norwid (Krzysztof Trybuś) Myths in the Polish People’s Republic. Iwaszkiewicz avec Benjamin (Michał Mrugalski) Walter Benjamin Is One Of The Most Important Figures Of Modern Culture. The Authors Focus Within This Book On Benjamin As A Philosopher, Or Rather As A Critic Of Modernism Entangled In Tradition (mainly Jewish), But Also As A Writer. Philosophical And Philological Readings Are Accompanied By Essays Presenting The Complex Biography Of Benjamin And Numerous, Often Unexpected, Parallels Which Indicate Traces Of His Reflections In Works Of Other Artists. In Consequence, The Arcades Project, Which Can Be Described As Benjamin's Opus Vitae, Is Not Only A Picturesque History Of Parisian Arcades Of The Mid-19th Century. It Is Also A Polyphonic Text, Composed Of Quotations, Commentaries And Footnotes, A Discussion Of The Sense Of History And The Literacy Work Of Art That Surprises With Its Meandering Quality--back Cover. Paweł Stachura, Piotr Śniedziewski, Krzysztof Trybuś (eds.). Includes Bibliographical References. "Walter Benjamin is one of the most important figures of modern culture. The authors focus within this book on Benjamin as a philosopher, or rather as a critic of modernism entangled in tradition (mainly Jewish), but also as a writer. Philosophical and philological readings are accompanied by essays presenting the complex biography of Benjamin and numerous, often unexpected, parallels which indicate traces of his reflections in works of other artists. In consequence, The Arcades Project, which can be described as Benjamin's opus vitae, is not only a picturesque history of Parisian arcades of the mid-19th century. It is also a polyphonic text, composed of quotations, commentaries and footnotes, a discussion of the sense of history and the literacy work of art that surprises with its meandering quality"--Page 4 de la couverture Walter Benjamin is one of the most important figures of modern culture. The authors focus within this book on Benjamin as a philosopher, but also as a writer. Philosophical and philological readings are accompanied by essays presenting his biography.