A Study On Benjamin’s Artistic Idea

There are at least three clues to the study of Walter Benjamin.The first is the religious tradition of German literature,which influence the thought of Benjamin.The second is the binary opposition of European and non-European,which may be known as cultural hegemony.He tried to survive and achieve identity in Europe.The third is the view of cultural study.In the criticism of city and the crowd,something are valuable.They are the way of observing and being observed and the image of bohemian.All of these provide abundant theory resource for the Postmodernism.The study begins with the discussion of the religious tradition in German culture,which influence Benjamin.From the story of his life,we get a general understanding of his idea.The next chapter discuss Charles Pierre Baudelaire,who demonstrated the effect of marketization in art and attempted to politicize the art. The third chapter researches the work of art raging from Greek Myths to films.It demonstrate that the character of art has been changed.Benjamin showed his concern of art.After accepting the fact that the traditional art had been changed,he showed a positive attitude to modern art instead of missing the old one like his peers.Therefore,the last chapter criticize the study of Benjamin,because of his over confidence to modern art.What’s more,he overvalued the capability of the public’s aesthetic judgment.After all,we can’t deny the creativity and prospect in his works,inspiring other scholars who take him as one of the most creative and powerful philosophers in the twentieth century.