The Acoustical Unconscious: From Walter Benjamin to Alexander Kluge

The author argues that Walter Benjamin's idea of the optical unconscious can be extended to acoustical media, which allow us to "hear otherwise" and sensitize us to the discursive sonority of words. This monograph discusses how the acoustical unconscious enriches our understanding of different media, from the written word to radio and film.

Format: Hardback
Length: 275 pages
Publication date: 07 March 2022
Publisher: De Gruyter

In the 1930s, Walter Benjamin delved into the fascinating realm of visual media, exploring how they expand our optical perception. The invention of the camera, for instance, unveiled a world of images and details that were previously beyond our conscious awareness. Benjamin's interest in acoustical media, however, went beyond mere observation. He believed that these media had the power to enable us to "hear otherwise," or to perceive sound structures that were previously lost to our naked ear.

Crucially, the acoustical unconscious plays a crucial role in sensitizing us to the discursive sonority of words. Benjamin had already hinted at this in his autobiographical work, emphasizing the importance of sound in shaping our memories and experiences. In his monograph, Benjamin examines how the acoustical unconscious enriches our understanding of various media, ranging from the written word to radio and film.

Spanning five chapters, the book explores how the acoustical unconscious contributes to our interpretation of these media. It begins with an analysis of Tieck's "Blonde Eckbert," which Benjamin once considered his locus classicus of his theory of forgetting. From there, it moves on to explore Alexander Kluges films and short texts, where he develops what he calls "sound perspectives."

As the first book-length study of Benjamin's linguistic, cultural-historical, and media-theoretical reflections on sound, this monograph holds significant relevance for students and scholars of both German studies and sound studies. It provides a comprehensive exploration of Benjamin's thought, shedding light on his profound insights into the role of sound in shaping our perception and understanding of the world.

In conclusion, Walter Benjamin's idea of the acoustical unconscious extends his exploration of the visual to the realm of sound. Through his meticulous analysis of various media, Benjamin demonstrates how the acoustical unconscious enriches our understanding of language, culture, and history. This monograph serves as a valuable contribution to the field, offering insights that will be of interest to scholars and students alike.

Weight: 584g
Dimension: 164 x 242 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783110737776