<論文>ヴァルター・ベンヤミンにおけるガラスのモティーフ : 「経験と貧困」と『パサージュ論』の理論的検討

Abstract

Walter Benjamin was a great thinker who attempted to discuss in details the change of perception in the 19th century in the context of contemporary technologies. He considered glass an important element when discussing perception. He probably recognized that glass was embedded into the process of the regrouping of perception in modern times. However, it cannot be said that we fully comprehend the details of his creative challenge today. In fact, it appears to be fruitful and very challenging for us to take up his remaining attempt. This paper aims to clarify how Benjamin understood glass architecture in his works focusing on the process of the regrouping of perception in modern times, by giving a theoretical consideration of two of his late works: Erfahrung und Armut (Experience and Poverty, 1933) and Das Passagen-Werk (The Arcades Project, 1982). Firstly, focusing on Erfahrung und Armut, I discuss how Benjamin recognized glass architecture in the context of his key concepts interieur (interior) and aura. I point out that he brought up the possibility in glass architecture, especially their destructive aspects, towards what he described as "the poverty of experience" in modern times. Secondly, I make clear that Benjamin reconsidered the possibility of experience through glass architecture from the angle of "dialektische Optik" (dialectical optic) in his work Das Passagen-Werk on 19th-century urban space. That is to say, he intended to criticize capitalism by highlighting the possibility of intoxicated perception through glass architecture. Lastly, I draw out some theoretical implications of the motif of glass from Benjamin's thoughts. Above all, I point to the specificity of his thoughts concerning glass architecture and, more generally speaking, technologies in a comparison with discussions by other thinkers. Furthermore, I point out that Benjamin's perspective on technologies has a range of relativizing the modern concept individual.