Abstract

ROSSI, María José. Formalización y mercantilización de la obra de arte en Walter Benjamin. Cuad. Sur, Filos. [online]. 2005, n.34, pp. 115-126. ISSN 1668-7434.

This work analyses one of the less studied aspects in Walter Benjamin work: the conversion of the work of art into merchandise. Although it is necessary to recognize that that which interests Benjamin the most is the process of 'politicization' of the aesthetic and the 'aesthetization' of the politics, it is none the less possible to find in his work Das Kunstwerk im Zeitalter seiner technischen reproduzierbarkeit, from 1936, some key elements to understand the transformation of the work of art into merchandise. From Benjamin's standpoint, the death of the 'halo' implies the triumph of the merchandise. This triumph is preceded by three moments: the technical reproducibility -motor of transformation- initiates the evolution from the Dingwel (world of the 'thing') to Warenwelt (world of the merchandise), until this last finally transforms into Plakatwelt (world of advertising). In this process, a radical formalization occurs, together with an emptying of the transcendent dimension. These phenomena allow the use of the work of art for political as well as economical means.

Keywords : Work of Art; Reproducibility; Merchandises.