Street Scenes

Brecht, Benjamin and Berlin

Nonfiction, Art & Architecture, Architecture, Photography, Entertainment, Performing Arts
Cover of the book Street Scenes by Nicolas Whybrow, Intellect Books Ltd
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Nicolas Whybrow ISBN: 9781841509082
Publisher: Intellect Books Ltd Publication: October 1, 2004
Imprint: Intellect Language: English
Author: Nicolas Whybrow
ISBN: 9781841509082
Publisher: Intellect Books Ltd
Publication: October 1, 2004
Imprint: Intellect
Language: English

Always the focal point in modern times for momentous political, social and cultural upheaval, Berlin has continued, since the fall of the Wall in 1989, to be a city in transition. As the new capital of a reunified Germany it has embarked on a journey of rapid reconfiguration, involving issues of memory, nationhood and ownership. Bertolt Brecht, meanwhile, stands as one of the principal thinkers about art and politics in the 20th century. The 'Street Scene' model, which was the foundation for his theory of an epic theatre, relied precisely on establishing a connection between art's functioning and everyday life. His preoccupation with the ceaselessness of change, an impulse implying rupture and movement as the key characteristics informing the development of a democratic cultural identity, correlates resonantly with the notion of an ever-evolving city. Premised on an understanding of performance as the articulation of movement in space, Street Scenes interrogates what kind of 'life' is permitted to 'flow' in the 'new Berlin'. Central to this method is the flaneur figure, a walker of streets who provides detached observations on the revealing 'detritus of modern urban existence'. Walter Benjamin, himself a native of Berlin as well as friend and seminal critic of Brecht, exercised the practice in exemplary form in his portrait of the city One-Way Street.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Always the focal point in modern times for momentous political, social and cultural upheaval, Berlin has continued, since the fall of the Wall in 1989, to be a city in transition. As the new capital of a reunified Germany it has embarked on a journey of rapid reconfiguration, involving issues of memory, nationhood and ownership. Bertolt Brecht, meanwhile, stands as one of the principal thinkers about art and politics in the 20th century. The 'Street Scene' model, which was the foundation for his theory of an epic theatre, relied precisely on establishing a connection between art's functioning and everyday life. His preoccupation with the ceaselessness of change, an impulse implying rupture and movement as the key characteristics informing the development of a democratic cultural identity, correlates resonantly with the notion of an ever-evolving city. Premised on an understanding of performance as the articulation of movement in space, Street Scenes interrogates what kind of 'life' is permitted to 'flow' in the 'new Berlin'. Central to this method is the flaneur figure, a walker of streets who provides detached observations on the revealing 'detritus of modern urban existence'. Walter Benjamin, himself a native of Berlin as well as friend and seminal critic of Brecht, exercised the practice in exemplary form in his portrait of the city One-Way Street.

More books from Intellect Books Ltd

Cover of the book Directory of World Cinema: Britain by Nicolas Whybrow
Cover of the book Studies in French Cinema by Nicolas Whybrow
Cover of the book New Patterns in Global Television Formats by Nicolas Whybrow
Cover of the book Directors by Nicolas Whybrow
Cover of the book From Theory to Practice by Nicolas Whybrow
Cover of the book Media, Markets & Public Spheres by Nicolas Whybrow
Cover of the book Reaching Audiences by Nicolas Whybrow
Cover of the book Pride and Panic by Nicolas Whybrow
Cover of the book Cinema and Landscape by Nicolas Whybrow
Cover of the book World Film Locations: Vienna by Nicolas Whybrow
Cover of the book Being Human by Nicolas Whybrow
Cover of the book The Social Use of Media by Nicolas Whybrow
Cover of the book The Propaganda of Peace by Nicolas Whybrow
Cover of the book World Film Locations: Los Angeles by Nicolas Whybrow
Cover of the book The Professionalisation of Political Communication by Nicolas Whybrow
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy