GAFIJCZUK, Darius. Dwelling Within_The Inhabited Ruins of History

7/28/2019 GAFIJCZUK, Darius. Dwelling Within_The Inhabited Ruins of History

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History and Theory 52 (M 2013), 149-170 Wsn Univrsi 2013 ISSN: 0018-2656

DWellINg WIthIN: the INhabIteD RUINS of hIStoRy1

DaRIUSz gafIjczUk

abStRact

addrssin rn rin isr s rm prsn, ss wrs wrd

rvr sp in wi su prsn isr is ndd. I ru isr s rm iv prpin is in virtual witnessing ps in mmn ur

nunr wi isri ris, xs, prps, r uidins.

t is nd, I n wi npu nd mri sps isri prpin,

drivin md isr s inid ruins, w i mrs r wi is-

ri nsiusnss nd inds n spi dnmi xprssin in gr Simms pi-

sp uur. truu, I wr wi nin disn nd rns-dimnsin

prsn s rs sp nd rsp isri wrnss.

Ruins, inim nnd mdrn isri iminin, r pprd n s

sis mmmrin r nsi, u s sps iv xn wn prsn

nd dispprn. as su, r n mds r rnsiiv rr

isr is, urrin divisin wn prpin nd u. In r wrds, ruinsr n s sruurs v nd summn ps n nunr wi nmp-

rr ri p -pprn pns pssiii viru winssin

ps. I nud i inid ruins nsius vn-rin mdrn

idni, ws pin isr ri threshold of fragmentation.

Keywords: isrirp, prsn isr, sis, riur, ruins in mdrni,

jnn Wn vn g, gr Simm

t wrd isr snds wrin n unnn nur

in rrs rnsin. t ri psinm

nur-isr . . . is prsn in ri in rm

ruin. In ruin isr s psi mrd in sin.

Wr bnmin2

. . . n dur ruin s in ir.

k a3

Is i hisr: ur Nw. W r sumrd, w isn.

tms trnsrmr4

1. I wud i xprss m riud r nrus suppr rivd rm briis ad-m nd R Si ru Nwn Inrnin fwsip, durin wi ms

rsr r is ppr ws rrid u. Mn ns s us nd rinds r ir suppr

nd inpu, spi P Pdin, w r n rid is ws u n pr rr pr,

nd Dn Wsn s w s jn trr, wm pd m rin m vi.

2. Wr bnmin, The Origin of Tragic German Drama (Nw yr: Vrs, 1998), 177-178.

3. k a, The Face of Another (Nw yr: Vin, 2003), 3.

4. tms trnsrmr,New Collected Poems (Nrumrnd, Uk: bdx bs, 2011), 75.


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Dariusz Gafijczuk150

hw d w in ruins? Usu s rms dsruin nd unsdin

i, wr n rs rmr vii r prsn: wr iv

nsi, mn rmniism, r srs ps rum d. tis

ms insiniv im ruins s m inrind in mdrn -

iv unnsius. hw ud i rwis, ivn virusi dsruin

dispd in su riin nd srin w vr s n undrd rs

r s, ndnsd in prvri sr wni nur? and i is rm

w-rddn ps sm nur (ws s sr r), nd w

d up i, I wi rvr dirn sr ruins. In vrius niurins,

s living ruins r sps w ninu inhabit nd n n r upn,

murn, r mmmr s ndsps supd ps upn ps dris.

In is sns, I wi n in ruins s pis ru, u u smin

is inim ur mdrn nsiuin: prss ruinin, wi s

ws ps emerge in mmn ur nunr wi ri

vrius vns, insrid in xs, prps, r, in ir ms xndd rn,

riur diis.

W ds i mn ini ruin? W p n nunr r xprin

ds i n? ts qusins u dir mpx ri isri

wrnss in is mri nd sr s. I wi xpr s r, vnu-

rrivin nin virtual witnessing spi rm mdrn prp-

in ru wi ps nd prsn nunr r.

Pu dirn, I m spin r prss, r vn mr ur

transposition, wi rnis dispprn.5 I is in is nsin r inrv

wn mri nd riv rs wr, rund 1900, gr Simm n

sr r isri in sp uur, iin i s in

ndsps inssn supd nd rumin rinsips pr

undrpins Simms nir Lebensphilosophie. ardin Simm, n su

iv, ivin ri, d in rnsr n wn ixd, riid idniis

nd spiriu dnmi wi rd m ivs us uim rsn

w uur s isr6 . I is nsin wn s idniis nd

vri ir rin ms isr prps ms mpid xprs-

sin mdrn i, nimd nw p xprin, nw ps

d sru [ is] n nr sru nmprr rm id wi i

ins n d, iss n u sru i ins rm s su, ins

prinip rm.7

Mr xnsiv n r uminris fin-de-sicle nrin, Sim-

m md su mrp uur nd mri rinsips in md

nmpssd nir ri xprin.8 t uniqu psiinin is

u rssrds rdiins nd prspivs nd s in-

in n ms ur dsrid s philosophy of encounters, ivin

5. ain bdiu,Handbook of Inaesthetics (Snrd: Snrd Univrsi Prss, 2005), 30.6. gr Simm, t cni in Mdrn cuur, in Georg Simmel: The Conflict in Modern

Culture and Other Essays, d. Pr ern (Nw yr: trs c Prss, 1968), 11.

7.Ibid., 12.

8. cr, ws r d g nd is invnin mrpi prdim r

is nr, sp-siin rinin ri. S js bir, frm kn g: gr

Simm nd w Leben, Theory, Culture & Society 24:6 (2007), 139-158.


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Dwelling within: the inhabiteD Ruins of histoRy 151

us n spi ri si r rin n rr issus surrundin p

rni, vn-drivn wrnss mdrni invns r wi isri

prpin.

M nmn wi s ms is n xnsin rn rin

isr s rm prsn ivs mn s vrd 9 nd is

n simp mrur r ps. tis is w I wi spin u ruins s

pnmn rir ps in vrius dimnsins xprin. ard-

in, I ruins in sris mnin ruina (rm lin, mnin ps,

psin)s mri sruurs nd perceptive textures undrmin

undris wn prximi nd disn, prsn nd sn, insid nd

usid, ps nd prsn, mrii nd srin, nin ir dr-

sip s rssurin prdi mrrs spi rinin. Su rns-

dimnsin prsn is n ms pwru mpnns mdrnis

rr pri nd n und rss rn vrius pnmn. bu

i is spi r ruins, ir prsisn dwin wiin mdrni, vrnd

i rmnin nd rnsiuin, ru ivs us s

si srv uprins mdrn, isriid idni ninu

inds nw ws din in upn is. In r wrds, mri nd npu

ruins mpi dnmis us psi nd smi rs

xprin in n spi virn w. hisr is n is ms innviv nd

v risrs.

our pmn mid npu nd mri ruins is n rinin s

rs d ir p in isri-snsr riv, nd n

ds n nssri nd nx susni psi wr rsd

rm sndrdid mris prpin. Rr, w is ndd is sp

ws svr dimnsins ri pri ps, n in in

r, disarticulating ir prvius srp drwn ins dmrin.

t sp ns mrn is ind pnmnn in is is

mpiud is pris inid ruin. I is rm prsn sns

rip sndrdid vrs prpin, win vnisd ri in

impuri is mpsiin in d. tis is prps n w

unr inrsin u ndiin mpr sri, xprssd w

frn anrsmi, w pins u r is nw i ps r mn

isrins.10 tis ndiin n n miid in isr r in

prsn vi nr dimnsin n xpird ps. Su dimnsin pprs

wn inrv disns msurd im rm snsr durin, ps rm

prsn, nur rm uur s n sp rss-dimnsin topography

in. hisr is irs nd rms si rs nsins, pr-

dxs, nrdiins, nd nssr rniiins is prp.

hn, I wi spin u rni, isri, nd inid ruins s -

ins wr svr ps ri, rm si prpin mpri nd

rum, r dpsid. Su dpsis prsn mdu rwis innu-

us nd mu dissipin im in isri wrnssis rnsiurin

9. S e Runi, Prsn,History and Theory 45 (frur 2006), 1-29.

10. frn anrsmi, Sublime Historical Experience (Snrd: Snrd Univrsi Prss, 2005),

313.


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mmnp [] rsus in urrin disinin wn su

nd , wn ursvs nd wrd.11 hw d w mp isr r

purpss i, nd n mr in rin s-rin nwd?,

sd Nis in Untimely Meditations. his nswr is s prmi d

s i ws in 1874: Insr s i snds in srvi i, isr snds in

srvi n unisri pwr.12 W mi su n unisri pwr ?

Undrsd in ms nr rms, i is rinsip pri rsrs

xprin ps prsn, rimin i s mu s is pssi rm m-

pr srin urin psd durin n rs im,

prprs axndr ku.13

I. oN the ShoRt hIStoRy of RUINS

Rm ws r . I ws min mr disn. on i d n misrss.

Nw i d m mmr. frm in mmr, i m pnm,

wris Ps Quinrd,14 rin prrssiv disriud rinsip

wn sprin nd vr mr di prsn i mus ind w sup-

prin. Rm rprsns univrs sur n wi iminin nd

dsir eurp ws prd r d pr is isr. a rsd

mdrni iv unnsius ninn ws si irm insrid

in is urn xurs. and n simp i s su, u spi is ruins

d irm ups in imind rpis oidn sin s

Rnissn. Su ruins wr living fossils, uminus xiis inimi-

si rm, mmuniin vsss r nd d, u s srn

virn in din. tis is rin w g sw m. Upn is irs rriv

u wrd15 in 1786, Rms dissnn spndr insn m

rpui prsn, urin inss gs pn-up dsir. Drms,

ud ims i dpsid in iv uur pi

Ws, urr mpiid Pirnsi in sris drwins rissrssin

ninn, d nw mriid, irin srn,foldedmpri:

Wn n s smin s xisd r mr n w usnd rs nd s

n rd s divrs nd ru nin ims, is si sm si, sm i, indd n sm umn nd w, nd in pp si sm vsis

ir nin rr, n ms participantin r disins . and

su ndiins m i diiu rm us r srvr dipr w Rm

ws n Rm, nd n n nw n d, u s vrius ps wiin

d nd nw Rm n n nr.16

11.Ibid., 348.

12. fridri Nis, Untimely Meditations, rns. R. j. hind (cmrid, Uk: cm-

rid Univrsi Prss, 1997), 67.

13. ku u s u prsn n rs im, qud in andrs hus-sn, Nsi r Ruins, Gray Room 23 (Sprin 2006), 10.

14. Ps Quinrd, The Roving Shadows (lndn: Su bs, 2011), 26.

15. g, qud in Pu oppnimr, g nd Mdrnism: t Drm anrnism

in gs Rmn eis,Arion 6, n. 1 (1998), 87.

16. jnn Wn vn g,Italian Journey (cd Wrs, v. 6), d. tms P. Sin

nd jr l. Smmns (Prinn: Prinn Univrsi Prss, 1994), 107; m iis.


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tr is n vidn mpr rupur r inr prrssin r, s i

mrrs mdrni, mmn is n s rip nu r s v

mrd r; nir ds gs rinin in srnd, r-

mui dsripin in nurs prpin ruins s mn

nmpin d, mpr dissipin, idi rrsiv nur sw

u sur niin ws nd mps rmr mpirs. Rr, w r

d wi rns-dimnsin dviin ps nd prsn, nur nd u-

ur, mrii nd prpin in gs imprssins, wi pimis

inhabitation ruind nsurs. N squn mmns, u immdi

nd immnn, sr mri nd mpr prrusin wrs rdin

nsn rnid smn mn nd dmn, im nd

rmin, r mrrs xprin:

g wr w wi, r is ws sn sm ind , ps nd ruins, r-

dns nd widrnss, viss nd nind rs, i uss, ss, riump rs ndumns, n s s r ud drwn n n s ppr. a pn is

usss r, n nds wri wi usnd s pnis!17

In , g ds mu mr n us pnis xprss is prusin

dimnsini. t Roman Elegies, sris pms wrin in Wimr

wn 1788 nd 1790 r is rurn rm Rm, riin nd in

nid Erotica Romana, mp i n siu smi-iin

vr, ws d is isri mrnm nd sxu isrin18 rinin

nin mrs nd sus i. Rmin Rm in is misrss, us mpi-

in is psi prsn, min i si u sndrd rms rrn in sis mundn (g mpins u numnss

r rvrs iuds Rm) nd im mr s rm dissipin,

mrs mp rrinin mpri, wi ms sr si

nd rund xprin. awin r xpnsin nd nrin, is p

prpiv sii mps sn imprssins n nd in n swp.

I, w in in nur, ruins wr si primri usd s rmind-

rs rnsin nd imprmnn pp ins r, n g

sumd upn smin qui dirn. h ins risr immdi

prsn in is muip sin, wr mns r mixd nd nvudru smin i temporal outage. tis is w g mpss ri

simir Pirnsis ins, sm ns ms i rw up wi win

n rridrs is idd m,19 in n unprdnd simu-

ni rms nd sps ru dpiins Rmn ps, unins,

nd rds, [swin] sdws s p s rmmi alive, s

mpsiin nd riin prsn . . . drmiin i nd iin is mpinss

wi mnin.20

t ruins ps in prsn, n ruins of prsn, s wi

v m nd gs i ns sris rumi vns,dp uniqu niqu spi nsruin. t u rn is dnmi

17.Ibid., 107-108.

18. oppnimr, g nd Mdrnism, 95.

19.Ibid., 87.

20.Ibid., 97.


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sprum is w in Pirnsis wrn n drwins nin Rm,

u spi is visuiins prisns.21 t i pri ps s

s uidin (Pirnsi ws rusrd ri) wd rid, urrd

dimnsins mr rm rs in sndrd mr. lin Pirn-

sis ss, n is rd prssd m u sndrd rdins prs-

n, su s up-dwn, ri-, nd ms imprn, insid nd usid. tr

is n ru sprin wn spi rdins, r spiin wrd

in innr nd ur dimnsins Nis mnd s rvs i

mdrn iviiin, wi u isr nriud immsur.22

ts rni, spin ruins, s Pirnsi rrs m, u iv nd

xprssin n unii ws s unurdnd sm unnmind

riin,23 wr vnu rnrd isri prpin. W prvius

pprd s n smmri, mpr rndrin sp, minin disn

nd prximi in mpx, inim i uidin moderni (mn d)

rund ps in inrsin rmnd r in in, suddn

m id vnis r wi nn d invnd nw. Ruins

wr nw products immdi xprin, visi s dir-

dsruin. In , ninn nurs Rmni s ws dir

rspns su s irs, inn n isin nd puriin vrius xis-

ni rs, inudin ps rm prsn, in p indin rpui

disn ud p wi inrsin isd, mdrn idni.

t ivnss uni ruinin usd dir nunrs n

w w mi dsri s unhinged presence ins disppr rund 1800.

tis is wn urn sr r riins, s n w spin s

prsn urnd upsid dwn, s vr, din dir invnin

ri nd rdiin suddn p wrnss ndd rsud nd

unid.24 Disn nd prximi, insd inidin s si did

in Pirnsis ins r gs iisns wi Rm, wr nw mniid u

prprin sris srin vns, su s frn nd amrin

Rvuins r Npni wrs. ts vns rd sns prnd

spi disrinin ws immdi, s in pr, ivd mdrn is-

ri prpin. t vr mr ims rms univrs rrn dpd

ruins [] wr inrsin rrdd s sis priur nd nw

isri vns.25 tis s mn ruins nur wr nw ru

disinuisd rm ruins isrir prvius rni mpnss

in in wii isri -i.26

21. hussn, Nsi r Ruins, 7-20.

22. Nis, Unim Mdiins, 78.

23. hussn, auni Ruins, inRuins of Modernity, d. jui h nd andrs Sn (Dur-

m, Nc: Du Univrsi Prss, 2010), 21.

24. fr insn, frn Rvuin suddn md pp wr d ws n

ivin in wrd rdiins wiu vr vin n nsius i. S anrsmi, SublimeHistorical Experience, 326.

25. Pr fris, Stranded in the Present: Modern Times and the Melancholy of History (cm-

rid, Ma: hrvrd Univrsi Prss, 2004), 101.

26. S ibid., 105. M inrprin in-nur ruins divrs rm friss mp-

sis n d, d, riiii, nd nnmi. as w v sn rm g nd Pirnsi, d

d srn nd qui mpid virn nd vii.


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hw ds n d wi insn, rd-md, mdrn ruins? t pri

nswr is in nw invnin p si sp bypass unpr-

dnd prximi vrd xprin. tis nw, nrpi sp ws

n nsqun rsin inmprnsi nd rriin vsnss

in rm s-dpsi x divin mpsis. Prps rp

vn ru is rm s-nsiusnss in u r ws 1755

lisn rqu. Rsnin ruu eurp ms insn, r-

qu nsius n ms vivid prursrs winssd, iv

dissrs w nw s w.27 jus w inrind vn m in md-

rn ps is sd Wr bnmin, w usd dissr in 1931 r

idrns rdi rds.28 t ur rs, wn-minu prrm sunds i

iin prmniin. fr n n rs r, mn isnrs n d

wud rn w lisn mus v n i, nd mu mr.

I ws lisn n n irs r usu rm isr, u s

nd u mur r suim si prpin

sp, win i ns in spsmdi inim rmnin nd

srin.29 on n s nsidr si diniin suimi, ws

primr sur is in rrr mnisin is in sris nunrs

wi ri r. Indd rrr is in ss wsvr, ir mr

pn r n ruin prinip suim, wr edmund bur in

1756, n r r rqu.30 crui, su rrr n nrd,

nd vn md diu, dusin is disn rm privin su:

Wn dnr r pin prss nr, r inp ivin n di,

nd r simp rri; u rin disns, nd wi rin mdiiins,

m , nd r diu, s w vr d xprin.31 bur s

n r n w mn is nmprris wud, r insn, di in

srvin ruins lndn.32

27. t rqu is simd v risrd i n Rir s, wd sun-

mi, wi numr suis wn ir nd svn usnd pp nd irs rin r six

ds, dsrin r wn usnd uss. au i is unwis ssin nd

pimism is n vn, dissr did m ri im nu nd m visi prund spiism surrundin rdiin rumn r rin dsin univrs. c.

Rr h. brwn,Natures Hidden Terror: Violent Nature Imagery in Eighteenth-Century Germany

(cumi: Univrsi Su crin Prss, 1991).

28. S Wr bnmin t lisn erqu, in Selected Writings, Volume 2, Part 2,

19311934, d. Mi W. jnnins, hwrd eind, nd gr Smi (cmrid, Ma: t

bnp Prss, 1999), 536-540.

29. axndr Rir, fundin Ruins: t lisn erqu nd Suim, in h nd

Sn, ds.,Ruins of Modernity, 359.

30. edmund bur, A PhilosophicalEnquiry into the Origin of our Ideas of the Sublime and

Beautiful, d. j. t. bun (lndn: Rud nd kn Pu, 1958), 58. fr d disussin

n suim, s buns Inrduin, spi nnin wn suimi

nd rrr, wi s bun pins u, d n prdn.31.Ibid., 40.

32. I iv n mn is s srn wid s dsir s [lndn] dsrd nr-

in r n rqu, u sud rmvd ims rs disn rm dnr.

bu supps su idn v ppnd, w numrs rm prs wud rud [si]

d ruins, nd mns m mn w wud v n nn nvr v sn lndn

in is r?Ibid., 48.


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t suim is mu mr n n si r. Rr, i is rspns

nw ri, nw p sp nw u s rm is divin mrins.

evn mr ur, i is mdrn n prpin rdps

disn, psi nd psi, in nv niurins. b din s,

i ws n nir nw id siniiins mr: on disn prmis

dvpmn vur n dqu dsri dimnsins

srp. tis disnin m mpr, spi, r mn. In rm

sis, suim is r ris rin is p

disn nd dvps vur rprsnin.33

tis invnin adjustable rmnss, prdxi, ms pssi n

ms insnnus nnin ri usid ur immdi nr. Prs-

n is elevatedv prsis inmprnsi urrns nd nvi-

rnmns. hn kns diniin suim (das Erhabene) s n indir

nunr wi immnsi unnwn rm s disn, in is s

nur, urius nu sm n kn d n sn, nvr vnurin mr

n w mis usid is niv wn knisr:

tus n spr w ds mssiv munins imin swrd, dp rs wi

rin srms in m, wsnds in in dp sdw nd inviin mn mdi-

in, nd s n is indd sid amazementrdrin n rrr, rrr nd srd

ri; u, sin nws is s, is is n u r; i is mr ur mp inur

i wi ur iminin, in rdr w m vr pwrs mi.34

tru mnmn disns, suim rinsrs prdiii in ur

nunrs wi riis rwis wud mp vrwmin ndu u. I mps use nd nr disn is, us disvrin nw

prmrs prsn nrd n inin. Su wrnss srs d

rms rrn, dpin su s n in r in space, n us n

immi, mnr rmn pr nd immu dsin. hn, su-

im is w vn in prvs mind s pwr surpssin

n sndrd sns.35 tis mns n is n nr rud disn,

spi ns nnni rmv rm divin. Rr, i is disn

is ms ni d, ninrin topographical being

is invn nd p wi spi dimnsins.t suim prsnd uprin n pin m univrs

ndd prinip rinin sp. t vsnss ri nd ps-

suim, wvr, wi dispd ninu rnwd exis-

tential vacancy wi v rinvn nn dsrd ri, usin

is ps d s ru n vr xndd mpr rim.

lisn ws nur dissr, u i niipd unsin nur in

mdrn wrr, nd rin nw ss ri, s W. g. Sd

n pin dsris min mpin grmn iis wrd nd

33. axndr Rir, fundin Ruins, in h nd Sn, ds., Ruins of Modernity, 364.

34. emmnu kn, Critique of Judgment, rns. Wrnr S. Pur (Indinpis: h

Puisin, 1987), 129. kns diniin suim is vr simir burs, u kn

riiis is mpiri dispsiin, wi rus r prsn suim in nd

n in iminin.

35.Ibid., 106.


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wr.36 I vn, su s lisn rqu, smudd divin

rin prsn mr iv n vr r, ss ri

Snd Wrd Wr, in r prdin nur, s rvr dissvd

id umnnss wiin umni.37 Mdrn isr is rn is dis-

suin nsuiv rms prsn, wi i s mpd inrpr

in is ru vrius pprnsins mpinss, s i ris ind w

un r insnnus, mdrn ruins of the present. Prps, ivn is

si prvn mpsis n disnin s mpr rmv rm ps, isr

s n und w sin in un mus rinvn nn

ri nind i. Su smn sms nssr ir prm-

rs ur wn imi-xprin ud d iv wi rin

mdrni ins rm s su, idniid Simm.

II. aRchItectUReS of PeRcePtIoN

t prm prpin nd irin disns ws si n urn n

rund 1900, wn Simm nrd inu sn u r, in prss

inunin n nir nrin srs nd pisprs rm lus, bn-

min, nd adrn hidr, mn rs. fr insn, isri disn

ws nr nrn erns brnims Lehrbuch der historischen Methode,

ru primr mds x r isrins im.38 brnims n-

rn nrs n invsiiv iud isrins, w mus sd prximi

ir wn vus nd is, nin m m r insrumns r

msurin ps. t s nd npu prmrs is rumn r

pri idni w Mx Wr rund sm im rrs s vu-

rdm (Wertfreiheit) in umn sins.

Ms sinii ids rund 1900 xprind ir wn vrsin is

sr r pris niurd riur prpin p ni

nsiusnss d isd nd understoodrdin mn-

is disniin. evn Rn, s Pr bur pins u, ws nd in

npu mnsis wrin u nur isri undrsndin

(Verstehen)39 sm nsin issus wd Wim Di

r univrs rmnuis inrprin s Verstehen nd vnu

prmpd Wr driv md Verstehendesoziologie (si-

undrsndin). tis p nmn uses isri prpin s n

ni insrumn, rui, drivd rm immdi prsn, n

rm inius i s nusiv xpirdps. In Wr, su

ni psiinin ms ndnsd in sris r iurs, su

s i-s (Lebensstil), r is prrssin r ndu (Lebensfhrung), w

is vri xprssins.40

36. W. g. Sd, On the Natural History of Destruction (Nw yr: t Mdrn lirr, 2004), 7.37. Quinrd, The Roving Shadows, 37.

38. S hrmn Pu, Disn nd S-Disniin: Inu Viru nd hisri Md

rund 1900,History and Theory 50 (Dmr 2011), 104-116.

39. Pr bur, Prdims ls: frm ginn brin, Common Knowledge 14, n. 2

(2008), 247.

40. S m Mx Wrs Sin cmpsiin, Journal for Cultural Research 15, n. 1

(2011), 102-103.


10/22


tis is w uur nd isri prpin ws ninu sid, md

rin nd rni rn, rr n simp impmnd s p

mpr sru mmn sns. I is n ru is ind rruin

n disvrs nw rms nn. ardin, in 1910, durin ur

Prussin adm, Di disusss isr ru pis disn

nd ruinin:

t isrin snds in mids ruins, rmnns ins ps, xprs-

sins minds in dds, wrds, sunds nd piurs, sus w v n sd .

hw is nur m up? a is wr rin m is inrprin rm-

nns wi rmin. . . . t mprnsin ssm inrins isr rws

irs rm individu pins wi rmnns ps nin r r

ind in undrsndin ir rin xprin; what is near around us becomes

a means of understanding what is distant and past. . . . t rmin isri

wrd is xprin in wi su disvrs ims in dnmi rinsip

wi is nvirnmn.41

Di miis sris pri psd dimnsins. t ps s in

prsn, insid sums upn usid. I is rm dwin in sp,

wi is s n r-xprinin isri ri p virtual witness-

ing, unrin n r d ws in vins nwin su-

nsrud l, hum nd kn [u] n diud ui rsn.42

tis nnmn riis in r is dsrid s unbefangene Empirie

unisd, r vn uninhibited, mpiriism, wi ws inrn nd

xrn vns i mrp in n xur xprin.43 hisri prp-

in mpd rdin s srds i, in prss sin up wWr rrrd n simp s isr, si, r nmis u science

of reality (Wirklichkeitswissenschaft). Is inu pri ws rrid

rni nd urn sn inxusi pssin r r.44

Wrin u sris su dimnsin nps in rdr sud umn

ri in is mp rd innsi ws dmd ruismin w

ndd rvr in is u virn d prps mr urn n vr

r. tis p rvr r, mr ur, rmin n is-

ri i ds sm w uni ruins mdrni,

w g xprind Rm in immdi ps dwd wiin xurs i, mus insi sris nunrs

mximi xprin.45 tis is n w nw sps r rd nd

41. Wim Di, Meaning in History, d. h. P. Rimn (lndn: gr an & Unwin

ld., 1961), 139-140; m mpsis.

42. Wim Di, Selected Writings, d. h. P. Rimn (cmrid, Uk: cmrid Univr-

si Prss, 1976), 161.

43. S Mrin j, Songs of Experience: Modern and European Variations on a Universal Theme(br: Univrsi cirni Prss, 2006), 224-225n.

44. S ain bdiu, t Pssin r R nd Mn Smn, in The Century,

rns. ar tsn(cmrid, Uk: Pi Prss, 2007), 48-57.

45. b 1933 ludwi f ws wri in Genesis and Development of a Scientific Fact,

wr niipd cnuim, kun, nd fuu: I nsidr psu mximi xp-

rin suprm w sinii inin. S f, Genesis and Development of a Scientific

Fact(ci: Univrsi ci Prss, 1979), 51.


11/22


m i r nw ps mpri, wr u--p-nss nr-

s mnin.46

Surin wi isr dissvd rdiin mpsi dsin, si

prvn in hs ssm surid , in suin mundn

ri, wi, i imsn, is mmd rsin nd ir xpri-

n s rm in.47 as fuu srvs, i ws us is primr rsin

ninn nur su in is nrn isrii vrin, wri

nr isr vrin, sss ru im, nd p

ms s ins in irin srm im. 48 and i ws n n

umn ins, vin s s upsr suprnur rnsrn,

wr suddn dir xpsd vn,49 i lisn rqu, u

mr rdi, became vns. as su, mdrn individui mdis

mmrpsd sp pss urrns, sps, nd rms r in

w auus Srindr in 1894 dsrid s drnd snsins.50

III. INhabIteD RUINS

tis innsi mdrn prsn is susind prdxi i undr-

mins is wn nsiuin. t mr ri s in s disrpir,

mr diiu min n wi i ms, u rui: a

disn . . . piur is rr in is priur w nd n in is w. 51

Simms ppr uur nd isr rs xprin n is nwr

nsins, disns, nd rsds prpin ms xusiv. Wr

insrid in mdrn mrpis nd ps indirn,52 rrid

n nwrs mmuniin disn (invnd r irs im

wi mn),53 r ud sis dispprn in sr r, mdrn

i ivs nr dimnsin p wrpd sp rins sr w

usd r rmvd, sm im rwin inim d prximiis

in disrr nd u ri:

Mn iv, simuin nins r rusd w is r w nd is sisis ur

mn-sidd nd r simuin. . . . W w d isri spiri prps

n n is vur ndiin r is pnmnn, u s s sm riin. . . .

[Su] isri spiri ms us mr snsiiv wrds ss nd nusins m

us rm dir prximi nd n wi pp nd ins. . . . ou is prss

r sprins prsn vivid rm rmn. . . . a s rms, miir

rs, p us disn rm susn ins; sp us s rm

46. e Runi, Prsn,History and Theory 45 (frur 2006), 19.

47. S j, Songs of Experience.

48. Mi fuu, The Order of Things (lndn: Rud, 2002), 403.

49.Ibid., 404.

50. auus Srindr, Drnd Snsins, in Selected Essays, rns. Mi Rinsn(cmrid, Uk: cmrid Univrsi Prss, 1996), 122.

51. gr Simm, The Sociology of Georg Simmel, d. kur h. W (gn, Il: fr Prss,

1950), 7.

52. S gr Simm, Mrpis nd Mn li, in Simmel on Culture, d. Dvid fris nd

Mi frsn (lndn: S, 1997), 174-185.

53. S gr Simm, The Philosophy of Money, d. Dvid fris (lndn: Rud, 2004).


12/22


r; ri is ud n wi dir nidn u wi inrips r immdi

widrwn.54

hisr, pri du, is ndiind is niurin pprs

nd widrws, uniiins nd rurs.

y Simm mps r nr p rinsip, n nr unddn prximi r rmv, uni r mdiin u n enhancement r-

wis diminisd rn xprin. I is spi ind disn, wr

mpiud is undmn mpnnrmnssis siniin dimin-

isd, sm im nin nnin ru w ud dsrid s

virtual touching. tis rnspsd prsn i sns s i msi

xrism wi mps dmin n wi wi i is dnid n dir

n.55 fr insn, in visu rs, is is mpisd ru in

dp mdiis vrrin w-dimnsin, surs. Su

transposition n sns in dirn snsr mdium is sm msri-us rmn Simm rrs wn disussin ruins.

on is sis, Simm wrs n uniqu md nnin mn

surs in, undrminin idniis sd n pur dirn r snss.

Sm rs r, Wr bnmin wi dsri is ndiin s diis

sndsin nunr insis suddn ps in rs

prpin, sm im rin mprssin in sruur sp nd

im. t ndnsd i su spi mrp is insrid in pn-

ndd xur ruins, us in ruin, isr pprs spiid nd ui

sp mprid.56

tis is w nur nd uur r n w dirnws in n nd sm in.57

ariur is n r in wi r sru wn wi

spiri nd nssi nur issus in r sp,58 wris Simm

innin is sr vnur in sis ruins. tis is wr

insi wi nsruin nd imminn rrsin ins undr-

min mris prsn ninu rdus imis xprin,

min ruin mr mninu, mr siniin pnmnn, n r

rmns r dsrd wrs r.59 Uni srnss r r

sin, ruins r mmd unrind nd unprssd pnmn ir dr n r uur diis, nnin prsrvin nd dsru-

in, minnn nd d. cminin s w rdrs ri rs

ssms wr artifacts r ris umn mnipuin nd ecofacts,

wi n nvirnmn n, inr.60 tis is w spi disr-

54.Ibid., 474.

55. gr Simm, on tird Dimnsin in ar, in ern, d., Georg Simmel: The Conflict

in Modern Culture, 87.

56. hussn, Nsi r Ruins, 13.57. Simm, on essn cuur, in fris nd frsn, ds., Simmel on Culture, 41.

58. gr Simm, Ruin, inEssays on Sociology, Philosophy and Aesthetics, d. kur h. W

(Nw yr: hrpr & Rw, 1965), 259.

59.Ibid., 260.

60. ciin DSiv, osrvd D: tin Sris wi Mu tins,Journal of Material

Culture 11 (Nvmr, 2006), 323; iis in riin.


13/22


iuin, wi in urn ds riuin r isris, nd r

rpis,61 is nd.

Ruins rru mmnum mrii, nin uxiir nnins

pss sndrdid nwrs pr-msurd disns. tis is w wn

p nd im inid r vn -ppr62 w uniqu prp wr

prpin nd u s d pr ir disinivnss:

hr, s in s ruin, wi is xrm innsiiin nd uimn pres-

ent form of the past, su prund nd mprnsiv nris ur su r ru

in p r is n nr n srp divisin wn prpin nd u. hr

psi wnss is wrsiin, in sm w is fuses nrs

prsn nd ps in n unid rm.63

I is presence im, n mpr rmnss, urs disin-

in wn prpin nd u, prin rsd inrins

wr ps wi is dsinis nd rnsrmins s n rd in isinsn n si prpi prsn.64 Wn im is rsd rm

mn-dirin65 mpr in in, id mpx inrins is

md prin, ivin []is m mnin, p . . . in sin

nmrpsis, rvin n insii pripis vr rm wrd is

ruin, is insrumn ws, minu minu, d-r-d,

rsin uidin, rn, i r unrsid.66

Su mpxi is und n inrsin r vn mr ur ren-

dezvous siniis nunr nd is in,67 n w

prsnin vr ur mdin isri nsiusnss. t ssn rndvus is in nsin wn punui nd in qui

rinsip, n n nd, nd is mpr nd spi drmin

n r.68 tis in rr nnss spi drmind

rinsip sps rsin prsn s i nunrs. I is is

mpr mn, nsd in qusin w ds im riu is

in n rnid sp?69 disinuiss mdin ri rdin

prdurs rnsiuin ru smmr, rm n is mr

nvp r nn: us i sprs is u i n isnd rm

ninuus urs is nns, rndvus ivs spi d nnsiusnss, pris n rm mns is im nd p. bus i

61.Ibid., 324.

62. jn-lu Nn,Being Singular Plural (Snrd: Snrd Univrsi Prss, 2000).

63. Simm, t Ruin, 266, m mpsis.

64.Ibid.

65. fr ir mmi prisin, nwr d ws psis din dirini

ims w, i ps-uur rinin. S tms gd, W tim fws: t Psis

Ps nd fuur,Daedalus 132, n. 2 (2003), 37-40.66. Virii, asis Dispprn, 56-57.

67. gr Simm, t Si Sp, in fris nd frsn, ds., Simmel on Cul-

ture, 148.

68.Ibid.

69. Mi d cru, The Practice of Everyday Life, rprin d. (br: Univrsi ci-

rni Prss, 2011), 86.


14/22


is mr vivid snss, p nr xiis rr ssi r

rin n im.70

tis p rnspsiin uni xprin in im nd sp is r

Simmsphilosophy of encounters drivn ripr inrins (Wechsel-

wirkungen) nd ndnsins (Verdichtungen) xprin. Su mdin is

rd vidn in Simms sr xprin ruins s piv pins pr

in mnnr s ins wn riis, spi uur nd nur

mnism s undrpinnin s mnrp puisd durin Simms

iim 1916 sud Rmrnds prriur.71

In Rmrnds nds, prris quir sur ms-i, ndns-

in ps, prsn, nd uur, squin n individus nir irp in

xur pind im. Rmrnd ivs rm mpnss n

ind nid ri ru impvrisd, w-dimnsin rprsn-

in n xprssiv mdium. on nrr, is mpis urius,

mpsi rsurin rs ru sndrd rms rrn, ivin

viwr sns mp i ru sin visu nunr:

cr, wfar w in is squn, w large prin w w ps,

viwd s uni, is qui prmi nd vri.

Rmrnd s ii xnd su mpr squn, wi, dspi pin

is rm, is si one viwin wiin us in indrmin disn im, r, mr

x: w n emerge u r. on mus n iv in ur

np mpr squn s u individu sins, s i wr, drmind

nns wr ui n r r.72

Min ps rsur in prsn in is mnnr is n uni Pirnsis

prrs Rm r gs mrin wi i ru dd mpr sru-

urs. tus Rmrnd s s divisin wn prpin nd m-

rii, innr nd xrn ri s w s ps nd prsn, rndrin

m pri inpriv. crui, is prdur disssmin un-

dins rsrid nd dimid riis is n vin rrs r spp

mpr unini rm wi n sins vii v nw vprd.

Rr, i is ndin inrs in durin, uni nd qui . . . n,

priuri nd uniqunss73 xprssiv r xprin. on

nr pu, is p nimin rrisi iniin vri-

us dimnsins prsn n srvd in smin smin s n s

sin, wi simunus [mins] in nd nn-in, ws snds

n wrsd ps nd uur nd, s rsu, nvs us . . .

srnr sns prsn n d ms r pnmn,74 xp, w sud

dd, ruins.

t ini sp is prd n rris dissipin , pr-

dxi, divr rr sns in sin dsruin r is n smin

snsss min rm usid u rr riin ndn inrn

70. Simm, t Si Sp, in fris nd frsn, ds., Simmel on Culture, 149.

71. gr Simm,Rembrandt: An Essay in the Philosophy of Art, rns. an S nd hmu

Sumnn (lndn: Rud, 2005).

72.Ibid., 35; s mpsis min.

73. Simm, t Pisp fsin, in fris nd frsn, ds., Simmel on Culture, 188.

74.Ibid., 192.


15/22


in dps r xisn dsrd.75 Su inrn i wrin

w undrpins ps nsruiv diis, rm ndsps nd uidins

umn dis. tis is w w snss mdrni, nv is

prpin, is w sp wr ssn isri mri is dpsid.76

b urnin ssnss nur in prpi inr, inid

ruins quir rr living symptoms mmuniin wr:

i is sinin ruin r wr mn pprs us nir s prdu

nur. t sm rs wi iv munin is sp ru wrin, rsin,

uin nd rw vin, r d ir wr n ws. . . . In is rm, w

vii s ppsin ndnis, ndinsiniv snsin s niss

in ursvsw ni, nd vrin mr rm nd si, siniin

niurin in ws srn uni v ir snsis.77

In r wrds, ruins ns ms rrisi nd ms ppsin n-

dnis i wiin ir nsn siin mri nd prpiv psin-

mis rumin sns nd rrd mpriis. as su, ruind nsurs

r rdud s mds isri mnis ws ind msvs

smwr wn prsrvin nd dsruin, uim in in n

temporal hesitation.

Su ndin prsrvin nd d, i nd d, n n min-

ind pin pris ird n s us dw wiin

ruind sps nd xprin ir nsin. I is vr di psiinin

wn mni, inr mr wi pssiv rsiss prssur, nd inrmin spiri-

ui wi puss upwrd[tis n] rs, wvr, insn uidinrums. fr is mns nin s n mr nur rs in m

msr vr wr mn: n wn nur nd spiri, wi uidin

mnisd, sis in dirin nur.78

N surprisin, su n n s ip ppsi w, spi wn

dipidd uidins r si psi upid, ivin us sns

wr nur is din umn ins, us d nd in dsru-

in, r simp ins d ru indirn. I is []r []

inid ruin ss r us snsuus-suprsnsuus n niin

ndnis xisn wi w s in ndnd n. tis n, indd,ivs i is prmi, unsin, n unr rr [wr] su

ps, sinin rm i, si sri us s sin i.79

bu ndnmn s dissvs vii ruins. t si idi

vins rndm rumin sns vrrwn wi mss, mnumn

pin nin ruins, r insn, r n w is s: s n s w n

sp ruin nd n mr p sns, is pwr ds n sin

wr mn in rmssnss mr mr.80 tis is w xisn-

75.Ibid., 263.

76. S Simund frud, Inrprin Drms [1900], in The Standard Edition of the Com-plete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, d. jms Sr et al. (lndn: hr Prss,

19531974), V, 525.

77. Simm, Ruin, 261.

78.Ibid., 259.

79.Ibid.

80.Ibid.


16/22


i dnsi nd mpsi-si rm ruin dispprs wn

n nu rmins i us upwrd-din ndn.81 Pssiv

upid uidins, us s ndnd r mp vud prmiss, mi

inin n inu nmpin nd mmmrin, u v s

ni vii sps v nsin wn prsn nd

sn si pssss. In r wrds, ndnd ps w threshold of

fragmentation (Schwelle der Zerkleinerung),82 us s indirn upid

ins riii vr v i. bw is rsd, vns dissv in

mpr ud diusd inidns. av i, im s n s rvis

in dird, vn i inin. In r wrds, su rsd nsius

i nd mri r w I m dsriin s inid ruins sp

wr isr s topography of consciousness ms r nd nunrs

isr s landscape for action. tn spr, nsius n-

dimnsin disrin83 prpu vxin prmw ds n vn

m isr?84 Simms nswr sunds mr n miir. hisr is u

mduin i d in nsiusnss, pssin riin disn

sprd m: au disn wn i nd isr m rmin n

uim pismi dim, i is n n uim mpsi psu.

tis is us, in in nsis, isr is s n xprssin nd n

i, pris sm i wi i is riinjuxtaposed. t uxpsiin

r nrs i is s rm i.85

apprd in is w, ruins in wi w r dw r simir

suim xprin. bu insd mpsiin disn nd di in rrr,

s nmprr, inid ruins, wid dwn urdn isr

nd rum dsruin, invn ps ivs s nrvus nd unpr-

di s prsn in wi i prruds is .86 Inid ruins, s rms

uniqu mdrn prsn sd n disn n, s frontierforma-

tions, wr smin ins is prsnin, n undr wi smin

ss.87 tis rnir is mrd prsn s pri psd undr

is wn wi. I is n is ind ri rris wiin i pni

release isr rm is wn md, rppd dd wi mpr-

i. Su prdx prsn, wi isr is prps ms pnrmi

xprssin, is nsd pris in is sru mdrn i ins

prinip rm s su, inudin rm im s ninuus mpri.

t prrius sii ndd in ruins dpnds n spii rnd sm-

mr, wi anrsmi, in smw rw rmuin, dsris s ssi-

81.Ibid., 265.

82. gr Simm, t Prm hisri tim, in Essays on Interpretation in Social Sci-

ence, rns. gu os (Mnsr, Uk: Mnsr Univrsi Prss, 1980), 143. In n mp

m Simm sund mr sinii, os rnss prs s rsd ni

rduin.83.Ibid., 144.

84.Ibid.

85.Ibid.

86. Quinrd, The Roving Shadows, 39.

87. Mrin hidr, buidin, Dwin, tinin, in Poetry, Language, Thought, rns.

ar hsdr (Nw yr: hrpr & Rw, 1971), 154.


17/22


in dissiin.88 Simm is mr viv, s mps impr vr

simir dnmi r vrwms mdrn ri, dissvin duism

suiv su nd iv spiri in spi mspri rs in wi is

rdi srpnss is rdud nd rin usins r prmid.89

t s isr, n, is reconstitute is inpid pr xpri-

n usd n inim mle i, unin ps ru

prpin s virtual witnessing. fr Simm, is mns mvin w rm

isriism mni rprduin prpi p90 im

rinsip mp dirn rdr wr imis [n] sin

pnmnn r open-textured.91 bus i is ndiin is n sisid,

ss Simm, n w nn sp isr.92

In is sns, isr, vin n n sp inid ruins, ms

id nvirnmn rsds, wr svr dimnsins su s dur-

in, prpin, srin, nd simp pri i r ru r

iv, vr nw vin sris nunrs. tis is w ps is ui

up in wv im dvns, [us] ps vi nmp-

rris is n vn sm im i ms up rm rm sdws. 93

IV. VIRtUal WItNeSSINg of the PaSt

Inid ruins rvr pni si nd pii n ri-

ni chiffre r mpr nd spi dus mdrni s ws

rurd u is.94 Su ndd du, wi insrs wd in

rwis i sd durin, n und in ms innuus ins.

tis is w

wrd is, s i wr, drinin is, in isr unss ps nd s

wi msvs v n pwr mmr is nvr rd, nvr dsrid r pssd n.

hisris, r insn, i s srw mrsss wi , sdw-i, n

sd pn ds nd wi d m innr nd srr us in m

disinrd vr rs, srunn . . . s i wr mr rms s w n

r in drnss.95

ts pri xusd ins evoke isr in prsn, i nwmp d rms nur up srw mrsss. Su di r ndr

mpiriism (zarte Empirie), s g dsrid i,96 mi m us wrds,

u i is n simp ri nrr. Rr, i is rm viru winssin

88. anrsmi, Sublime Historical Experience, 343.

89. Simm, cni in Mdrn cuur, in ern, d., Georg Simmel: The Conflict in Modern

Culture and Other Essays, 30.

90. Simm, on Nur hisri Undrsndin, in Essays on Interpretation in Social

Science (tw, Nj: Rwmn nd liid, 1980), 125.

91. Simm, t cnsiuiv cnps hisr, in Essays on Interpretation in Social Sci-

ence, 147.92.Ibid.

93. Quinrd, The Roving Shadows, 49.

94. hussn, Nsi r Ruins, 13.

95. W. g. Sd,Austerlitz (lndn: Pnuin bs, 2002), 31.

96. S Dni c. W, zr empiri: gn Sin s W knwin, Janus Head

8, n. 1 (2005), 58-76.


18/22


ps vns xnd ir psri nd isri wriin.97 tis

is n w sin svin in prss is Nis wrnd ins,

u rinin awareness prpiv-mri sp isr inis. ev-

in in is sns is smin , s jn-lu Nn srvs, summns

(nvs, invs) prsn is . . . niips is rriv nd rmmrs

is dprur, is rminin suspndd wn w.98

tis is, r insn, w Uri br undrsnds visu vidn

prps [] prdu risis rrn, nd n ru.99 on pwr-

u xmp qud br is Mi lvins War Story, sris visu

nmns wi sis nunrd nd dumnd nd wr

Mis r Mr lvin, rrspndn wi amrin rm.100

War Story rpurs sns immdi u s uii rin winss

rd Mis r in 1945. I wrs wi riin sns s

rrivin p xpsd amrins r irs im visu vidn

grmn riis u s nvin disn sprs us rm

sns s.101 I su -winssin is impssi, spi

winssin rrr, wi is ws rd sd is rd rnsin

in mr sins i r d, Mi lvin rurnin sis wrr

i rs r is rs ssinmn . . . iss wi is mr sns

dnss ws nr mpnn is rs wr.102 In is w,

sws us ps n s prursr prsn u s smin w v

rn s.103

In n s visu rmins, p n in 1945 is pd ins

sm ndsp d, nd nir sn purd n im in.104 a

rmr, w rnid p, ds piur n n, in dwn

i. t riin p nw viru vrs sm sw nd visu r-

n iv dds eri Sw (Mr lvins w rprr), ddin

ur prpiv rprir pri rnimd ps nd unnn, r-nd

pni rwinss mmn disnd i rs. t rniurd m-

psiin, nw, in ddiin sws rd wi Srmn ns nd gIs n isid,

in unrin mr s r surrundd psinm

sm ndsp, in 1997. t prsrvd, ps ri unins i

rin d, n insuiin inrd mmr in is piur ndsp-

s--mns--rrspin,105 r in , i unins pris i n inid

ruin uss mpri, prsn nd sn, in n prp in.

hn nmprr inid ruins r simir ri (Nachle-

ben) a Wrus inrpi s sd n n mnin

97. Pr g, Style in History (lndn: jnn cp, 1975), 212.

98. jn-lu Nn,Listening (Nw yr: frdm Univrsi Prss, 2007), 20.

99. Uri br, Spectral Evidence: The Photography of Trauma (cmrid, Ma: MIt Prss,

2005), 88.100. S Mi lvin, War Story (Muni: gin k, 1997).

101.Ibid., 74.

102.Ibid., 95.

103.Ibid.

104.Ibid., 208.

105.Ibid., 99.


19/22


iurs . . . u n inrrinsips wn iurs nd ir mpx,

unmus rrnmn, wi nn rdud disurs.106 In is p

rrnmn, ninui is rsud nd rpd contiguity mns

in srd sp. t is, r insn, w isr is insrid in ws

uidins, wi r mr n us sp mnin, spi mnin

n rd in sn. as Wiim W rr pins u, is ind xu

ppr diminiss ru impr riur diis, wi v mu

mr d wi transposition n simp rdin.107 trnspsiin is mv-

mn rnsin wn risrs prsn , n uni sund mdu-

in, sis nir nwr rinsips in dirn . ariur

ds is in srs mnnr pssi, nd is ms inns i n vn

rm isri xprimn, win us viru r-xprin ps

vn. on ms viv xmps is rius, din prsn

und in sruur uidin ws mpx uirpi prsn

dissvs imis dd im wn encounteredis fir trd P in

Pru, d ii Musum Mdrn ar.

cnsrud rm 19261928, uidin is mr n simp mnumn

mdrn riur, n irs is ind in wrd. I is s mu

mr n simp n mn sis rpurpsd r wr. Sd in is n-

r d, is spius rium i nur i min ru ss

r is, is sprs uninism is srn rsnin, ivin prsn in is

ri. I is n spi virn xmp wni-nur isr, is

dispmn nd rvr, insripin nd rsur. N uni Simms md

ruin, msrius rmn wn uur nd nur prms is

sruur snsis prs n prmis pri d individu

rms ws divrsi ms up is vr im. In r wrds, uidin

is more than itself, dini mr n us musum unin i did n

prrm uni 1995:

In its reincarnation as a museum of modern art, Veletrn palc [as it is known in Czech]

s m pwru siniir rvrd mmr nd mnumn ru cd

Wr rnsruins mdrn. . . . bu is rnsrmin uidin in si-

niir . . . ns n ss spur rin is own ru isr. tis

is rp wi irnis. as mr isri , n pin in isr, prir

1995, was Veletrn palc in any significant way linked with the modernist art that now,

smin s pprpri, ins is s.108

Rivd wi im is pnin nd id l crusir s n

xrrdinri siniin uidin109 i ws n mdimn, avant la lettre,

w r m nwn s Inrnin S in riur, u

du divisin mdrni wn es nd Ws, i ws xudd

rm is ii risr r nr iv dds r wr. tus uidin

106. Piipp-ain Miud, Aby Warburg and the Image in Motion (Nw yr: zn bs,2007), 252.

107. Wiim W, hw D buidins Mn? Sm Issus Inrprin in hisr

ariur,History and Theory 45 (M 2006), 153-177.

108. Dr Sr, t Unr linss buidina cuinr t, Grey Room 16

(Summr 2004), 26.

109.Ibid., 18.


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is mixur rs s pi nvud isr cnr eurp.

oriin si mmri ivi, wi n xiiin , dprmn

sr, s, inm, nd is, durin wr is rr prmiss srvd s

ssm pin r jwis ppuin Pru r wr mrd

hvi rin sin (us n minus dwn i) nd sippd

Terezn.110 ar wr, i sd mp r mn rs, sdw is rmr

us nd us, n mp nsumd ir n pin. t

uidin ws rsrd is rmr r in 1980s, nd is urrn

si xpii disps ris eurpn risi mdrnism. Sr-

in ru is wi-wsd ws, n wi nunr Piss, Si,

nd kim, mn rs. bu mr n s sndrdid mrrs mdrn

idni, min aware spi nd mpr psii ndnsd in

mpxi is si, n is spi prn rsnn

is uniqu un isr, wr w iv u mmn in

ps.111 Su isr xpss prsn rm ps i, n rdin

nns r rmnns i [i r in musum] u rdin is ps

s su.112 In is sns, n xprins mmn suspnsin in ri

impsd disinin wn ps nd prsn, nunrin ir co-appearing,

wr wrd ws pprs im rdin didd urn

vns.113 Su -pprin is susind rm viv mrn

ivs us ss srd riin in is vr srin; i is pur

touching sinur riin.114 t riin ws pri rvrd in rn-

vd uidin ru n unnn rnimd unii rpin

sirss l crusir riiid upn is visi si in 1928 wi rmps.

tus, ivn is ddd r w w m rsriv mpri,

ri sruur in sm ws m mr r n is inii prs-

n. I is in uidin su s fir trd P, mrd isr, wr

pwr inid ruins s si inrin wn psi prsn

nd im is , vn wiu n visi sins psi dririn. tis is

w uidin ms si i rm wi i s dprdu is

is nin mr niv, ddd i n u.115 Rr, i is n

inhabitation, wr i wi is w nd is ns n dwd

r nsius n immdi privd prsn,116 us rivin sm

is s vii.

tis is wr w m upn n inriuin ini wn sruur

inid ruins I v n xrin rm mdrnis pri nd Rinr

kss isri nrp, wi invsis n mvmn u

mii, n n in nr sns u nii.117 In is sns,

110.Ibid., 27.

111. Simm, t trnsndn crr li, in Individuality and Social Forms, d. nd

rns. Dnd N. lvin (ci: Univrsi ci Prss, 1971), 360.112. Simm, Ruin, 265.

113. Nn,Being Singular Plural, 9; m mpsis.

114.Ibid., 14.

115. Simm, Ruin, 265.

116.Ibid.

117. ks, qud in Sn-ludwi hmnn, ks, arnd, nd anrp

hisri exprin,History and Theory 49 (M 2010), 216.


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inid ruins mi us rpiiv r prsn, nrp-

i ndiin wiu wi isr is nir pssi nr niv,118

upin threshold of fragmentation (Schwelle der Zerkleinerung)

wi ims unvnnss sws is u r. tis usin r ps

dimnsins rs w ks, in smw v-ndd rmuin,

dsris s nmprni nnnmprnus (Gleichzeitgkeit

der Ungleichzeitigen),119 r pris p mdrn xprin rs

ins np rm s su, spi smmris im ins.

crni, xprin ps vr im; xprin ds n r n-

inui in sns n ddiiv prprin ps.120 tis is w mr

psi durin, rndrd isri s nmdi riv xpird ri, in

s nsis n n rspd iv s decayed presence, n ninu-

rnvd sn.

t ws pri rndrin xpird mrii is n uni spr

vidn pss prsn, wi rsrs sns p isri-

vn pprs rpi nd npu pss.121 Uri br,

s w v rd sn, wrs wi mmr s pn-ndd simn122n

nunr wi inxprssi. h dispnss p visu prp upn

isr nin prps s mni winsss pur prvi-

us unrrnd u idn purd ps. bin n u r ps

s pri sippd prss becoming isr s n nsind

isri srp-p, s prvn rumi r rin immdi simn;

r isr nds pnd up in nd rsd rm smmris

mmn sns dpnds n ind rinin srs r iv rms

prpin nd rspns nd urr umuin dumns nd

simnis.123 t prm r is n wi umuin pr sr , w r

rs uur xprinu wi p uni riss rwrds.

I uni is snsr mpsd pisd siuds, s ris

im n , i vr qui nus rd prnund sri

ps, rinin mpr nn, insd sin i dri nd urr unin

rinss is mpxi, wi n mus rn nvi nw.

V. coNclUSIoN

Rm sms nvr v us. W r si r, is im wi Simm in

r 1898. t xprin is rndvus wi i is n g,

r r, min sm pi nd rqun. tr is simuni

imprssins, usius mrii, mpr xurn, nd in u

118.Ibid., 218.

119. Rinr ks, hisr, hisris, nd frm tim Sruurs, in Futures Past: On theSemantics of Historical Time, rns. ki tri (Nw yr: cumi Univrsi Prss, 2004), 95.

120. ks, Sp exprin nd hrin expin: tw hisri cris,

in Futures Past, 260.

121. br, Spectral Evidence, 72.

122.Ibid., 182.

123.Ibid., 101.


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im. Prrps urun n nr, dsripins p n-upmnsip, wriin

in npu rsqus:

t usin ms dirn ins in uni rris spi im

Rms isp ivs n is n ss r in is mpr rm. In ru

puir w is diiu dsri, n n priv r w sprnss

im-prids nvrs in prsnnss nd rnss. . . . In Rm ps pprs

m prsn, r vi vrs. . . . jus s rmnns d ims v und

nw rm in nd ru ir dsruin, s ds ind- id ir mpr

sprnss sm wr s ind si nun is prsn pprn. t

ninui ims ps vivid iin up nsiusnss in Rm prvns

isin w is mpr disin. . . . Rr, in drwn in vr im

Rm, i ivs n nir unmdid vii; vrin isri ds p pr

in i, u n in su w i wud urn n in spr niqui rmvd

rm prsn nxs.124

I is uni in rmnin, rndrin ri wr rurd nnsnnss prsrv s in mpnss. tis is w w iv in vr-

ppin wrds nd pr dimnsins. tir pprn s indpndn -

mns is nssr r nsiusnss n rupur undr ni wi

simuni. bu i is s n iusin. t inid ruin s rm wr-

nss nd prpin urns s sprins in prrd ds. tis is w i

nurrn xprsss pmn nd dispmn, prsn nd dispprn.

In Simms wrds i ins r w is disn nd sprs w is nr;

vris ins in dirn ws nd inrprs urrns in rms ids.125

tis is isr as i, n is r ins n rm prsn inssr, n isr s disis min r im.

University College London

124. gr Simm, Rm, Theory, Culture & Society 24, n. 7-8 (2005), 33.

125. gr Simm, t frmnr crr li, Theory, Culture & Society 29, n. 7-8

(2012), 239.

GAFIJCZUK, Darius. Dwelling Within_The Inhabited Ruins of History

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