@article{ART003312590},
author={Sun Kyu Ha},
title={The Aesthetic Position and Political Implications of ‘Semblance’ and ‘Play’: Focusing on Friedrich Schiller and Walter Benjamin},
journal={The Journal of Aesthetics and Science of Art},
issn={1229-0246},
year={2026},
volume={77},
pages={202-246}
TY - JOUR
AU - Sun Kyu Ha
TI - The Aesthetic Position and Political Implications of ‘Semblance’ and ‘Play’: Focusing on Friedrich Schiller and Walter Benjamin
JO - The Journal of Aesthetics and Science of Art
PY - 2026
VL - 77
IS - null
PB - 한국미학예술학회
SP - 202
EP - 246
SN - 1229-0246
AB - This study provides an in-depth exploration of the concept of “play (Spiel)”, which occupies a central position in Walter Benjamin’s historical philosophy of art, particularly in his essay “The Work of Art in the Age of Its Technological Reproducibility.” Benjamin defines play as an aesthetic polarity opposed to “semblance (Schein)” and as the driving force of the new “space for play (Spielraum)” opened up by film technology. He identifies Friedrich Schiller as the representative of a play-centered aesthetic tradition and presents four related concepts: “a proposal for the improvement of nature,” “imitation (Nachmachen)”, “demonstration (Vormachen)”, and “perfecting mimesis.” However, the specific meanings of these concepts remain ambiguous. Accordingly, this paper aims to elucidate the connection between these four points and Benjamin’s view of art, which centers on technology and play. To this end, the research proceeds in three stages. First, it reconstructs Schiller’s discussion, which builds upon Kantian aesthetics to ground the “play drive (Spieltrieb)” in anthropological and political terms. Second, it analyzes how Benjamin uniquely appropriated and transformed Schiller’s theory in his historical-materialist philosophy of art. Third, the paper derives theoretical implications for the contemporary media environment, media art, and art education based on these discussions.
KW - Film Medium;First and Second Technology;Mimesis;Schiller’s Aesthetic Theory;Semblance and Play;Walter Benjamin’s Philosophy of Art
DO -
UR -
ER -
Sun Kyu Ha. (2026). The Aesthetic Position and Political Implications of ‘Semblance’ and ‘Play’: Focusing on Friedrich Schiller and Walter Benjamin. The Journal of Aesthetics and Science of Art, 77, 202-246.
Sun Kyu Ha. 2026, "The Aesthetic Position and Political Implications of ‘Semblance’ and ‘Play’: Focusing on Friedrich Schiller and Walter Benjamin", The Journal of Aesthetics and Science of Art, vol.77, pp.202-246.
Sun Kyu Ha "The Aesthetic Position and Political Implications of ‘Semblance’ and ‘Play’: Focusing on Friedrich Schiller and Walter Benjamin" The Journal of Aesthetics and Science of Art 77 pp.202-246 (2026) : 202.
Sun Kyu Ha. The Aesthetic Position and Political Implications of ‘Semblance’ and ‘Play’: Focusing on Friedrich Schiller and Walter Benjamin. 2026; 77 202-246.
Sun Kyu Ha. "The Aesthetic Position and Political Implications of ‘Semblance’ and ‘Play’: Focusing on Friedrich Schiller and Walter Benjamin" The Journal of Aesthetics and Science of Art 77(2026) : 202-246.
Sun Kyu Ha. The Aesthetic Position and Political Implications of ‘Semblance’ and ‘Play’: Focusing on Friedrich Schiller and Walter Benjamin. The Journal of Aesthetics and Science of Art, 77, 202-246.
Sun Kyu Ha. The Aesthetic Position and Political Implications of ‘Semblance’ and ‘Play’: Focusing on Friedrich Schiller and Walter Benjamin. The Journal of Aesthetics and Science of Art. 2026; 77 202-246.
Sun Kyu Ha. The Aesthetic Position and Political Implications of ‘Semblance’ and ‘Play’: Focusing on Friedrich Schiller and Walter Benjamin. 2026; 77 202-246.
Sun Kyu Ha. "The Aesthetic Position and Political Implications of ‘Semblance’ and ‘Play’: Focusing on Friedrich Schiller and Walter Benjamin" The Journal of Aesthetics and Science of Art 77(2026) : 202-246.
