The works of Walter Benjamin varied amongst that of literary essays, historical writings and cultural criticism. His early studies were on that of aesthetic theory and later gained an interest in political movements. His first writings were mainly focussed on literary critique, one of many being The Origin of German Tragic Drama (1928). Writing for newspapers soon after, his involvement in the media was again, that of a literary critic. However his work then became influenced by political interest, developing Marxist and revolutionary views. During WWII, Benjamin wrote two of his most influential pieces of work, The Author as Producer (1934) and The Work of Art in an Age of Mechanical Reproduction (1936), which looked at the influence of mass production on various mediums, such as film. The latter is perhaps his most relevant work to media study today, and explores how culture has become lessened by the mass media; in which politics and aesthetics almost merge and art becomes accessible to the mass market. Within mostly individual reflection, as group work was not best suited to us as individuals, this is the text on which most of the attention has been focussed.
His background was one of struggle; being a Germanic Jew during Hitler’s reign in Germany, his life was constantly under threat, and therefore he travelled Europe in order to escape. Following 1925, he spent some years in Paris; here, he started The Arcades Project; an unfinished cultural study of early to mid-19’th century, Parisian life. Living during a time of great historical change, this also influenced his work; his Theses on the Philosophy of History (1940), explores how history is dependent on who it’s made by, and often the recognition of the victim’s suffering is avoided. The suffering of Benjamin’s own life is highlighted by his suicide in 1940; possible capture by the Nazi’s led him to take an overdose. His works gained recognition after his death and are still cause thought to study, both philosophically and within the media.
His background was one of struggle; being a Germanic Jew during Hitler’s reign in Germany, his life was constantly under threat, and therefore he travelled Europe in order to escape. Following 1925, he spent some years in Paris; here, he started The Arcades Project; an unfinished cultural study of early to mid-19’th century, Parisian life. Living during a time of great historical change, this also influenced his work; his Theses on the Philosophy of History (1940), explores how history is dependent on who it’s made by, and often the recognition of the victim’s suffering is avoided. The suffering of Benjamin’s own life is highlighted by his suicide in 1940; possible capture by the Nazi’s led him to take an overdose. His works gained recognition after his death and are still cause thought to study, both philosophically and within the media.
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