Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2000 08:48:32 -0500
From: Sharon Sliwinski <sharon-AT-YorkU.CA>
Subject: Re: BENJAMIN ON ART HISTORY [Re: ADORNO ONE LAST TIME]




>  I'm interested in knowing where else Benjamin
> explicates his approach to "intensive" examination amd comparison of unique
> works.
>
> Benjamin is interested in the unique work of art, of how an understanding
> of its own character gets lost as the individual work of art gets absorbed
> into historicizing, periodizing, taxonomic and pigeonholing schemes where
> it is seen as just one example of a genre with overall average
> characteristics, or as one step in the logical progression of art
> historical trends.  Benjamin's comment questioning the assumed historical
> unity and continuity of a genre reminds me of Kracauer's remarks on
> historiography, and also reminds me of Jonathan Ree's remarks on
> comprehending the history of philosophy.

i've never heard, nor seen the quote you reproduced but I think  Benjamiin's
interest in the unique work of art is best discussed in "The Work of Art in the
Age of Mechanical Reproduction" - in Illumiinations of course. Here he teases out
the concept of "unique" a little more fully - but not particulary in relation to
genre. I like "The Storyteller" for a close examination of the genre of novel form
(more in lieu of the quotation you reproduced). You've probably already read these
two texts (they are always taught) but i don't think i'm happy with your statement
"Benjamin is interested in the unique work of art, of how an understanding of its
own character gets lost as the individual work of art gets absorbed into
historicizing, periodizing, taxonomic and pigeonholing schemes" - especially in
relation to "Work of Art".

sharon