The Philosophy of Mario Perniola: From Aesthetics to Dandyism

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Enea Bianchi provides the first in-depth introduction to the pioneering thought of 20th-century Italian philosopher, Mario Perniola. Examining Perniolas entire oeuvre, this book also pushes his philosophy into new directions by investigating the connection between his aesthetics and the philosophical underpinnings of dandyism. Rich in influences, from ancient Stoicism to Roman ritualism, Baroque literature and avant-garde revolutionary movements, Perniolas philosophy is wide-ranging. This book highlights and explores numerous notions pivotal to understanding Perniolas thought, including: the sex appeal of the inorganic, the enigma, strategic beauty and the artistic shadow. Combining these concepts with three exemplar dandies George Brummell, Charles Baudelaire and Oscar Wilde Bianchi demonstrates not only the close relationship between their principles and Perniolas aesthetics, but their shared, and timely, opposition to the status quo. A dandy philosophy emerges, which challenges the individual not only to refute the ongoing commodification of tastes, emotions and lifestyles, but also to develop a welcoming and loving disposition with respect to the enigma of our prismatic world.

Reviews

The Philosophy of Mario Perniola is a long overdue, conceptually rich and insightful introduction into the protean work of Mario Perniola, one of the most significant and distinctive voices in contemporary Italian philosophical and aesthetic thought. * Erik Vogt, Gwendolyn Miles Smith Professor of Philosophy, Trinity College, USA *
Work on Mario Perniola is especially timely and this book does a lot more than merely fill a gap. This is a monograph with a difference as novel comparisons with phenomena not directly related to Perniolas canon of reference drive multiple transversal resonances with Continental Philosophy, Cultural Studies, New Materialism and Ecocriticism. A deeply fascinating book. * Federica G. Pedriali, Professor of Literary, Metatheory and Modern Italian Studies, University of Edinburgh, UK *

Author Bio

Enea Bianchi teaches Italian aesthetics, culture and language in the Department of Italian Studies at NUI Galway, Ireland, where he obtained a PhD with a thesis on the philosophy of Mario Perniola. He is member of the Editorial Board for the journal of aesthetics and cultural studies, galma, and has published numerous articles on aesthetics, art theory and Perniolas thought.