Living substance conquers the frenzy of destruction only in the ecstasy of procreation.
Walter BenjaminRead
In other words, the unique value of the "authentic" work of art has its basis in ritual, the location of its original use value. This ritualistic basis, however remote, is still recognizable as secularized ritual even in the most profane forms of the cult of beauty.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The true value of authentic art lies in its original purpose and ritualistic context, even if that context has evolved.
Walter Benjamin highlights the importance of understanding the original cultural and ritualistic significance of art to appreciate its authenticity. He argues that even as art transforms into forms of aesthetic beauty, its foundational value is rooted in its historical rituals and uses, which can still be identified in contemporary interpretations.
Themes
ArtAuthenticityRitualBeautyCulture
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in an art gallery to encourage patrons to reflect on the history of the artworks.
More from Walter Benjamin
All quotes →The illiterate of the future will not be the man who cannot read the alphabet, but the one who cannot take a photograph.
Walter BenjaminRead
If mythic violence is lawmaking, divine violence is law-destroying; if the former sets boundaries, the latter boundlessly destroys them; if mythic violence brings at once guilt and retribution, divine power only expiates; if the former threatens, the latter strikes; if the former is bloody, the latter is lethal without spilling blood
Walter BenjaminRead
Writers are really people who write books not because they are poor, but because they are dissatisfied with the books which they could buy but do not like.
Walter BenjaminRead
Nothing is poorer than a truth expressed as it was thought. Committed to writing in such cases, it is not even a bad photograph. Truth wants to be startled abruptly, at one stroke, from her self-immersion, whether by uproar, music or cries for help.
Walter BenjaminRead
I am unpacking my library. Yes I am. The books are not yet on the shelves, not yet touched by the mild boredom of order.
Walter BenjaminRead
Similar quotes
The secret to so many artists living so long is that every painting is a new adventure. So, you see, they're always looking ahead to something new and exciting. The secret is not to look back.
Norman RockwellRead
My style says, 'Look at me, don't look at me.'
Patti SmithRead
I used to go and flatten my nose against that window and absorb all I could of his art. It changed my life. I saw art then as I wanted to see it.
Mary CassattRead
For me the experience of writing is really an experience of losing control.... I think it's very much like dreaming or like surfing. You go out there and wait for a wave, and when it comes it takes you somewhere and you don't know where it'll go.
Margaret AtwoodRead
It was only until I started to be myself that the music started to flow and people started to listen. So, thank you guys...
Sam SmithRead
I just genuinely feel that that's what you do when you're an artist: You stick up for the people around you.
Lady GagaRead