'Because the essence of [Capital] is nothing [Capitalistic], essential reflection upon [Capital] and decisive confrontation with it must happen in a realm that is, on the one hand, akin to the essence of [Capital] and, on the other, fundamentally different from it.''Such a realm is art. But certainly only if reflection on art, for its part, does not shut its eyes to the constellation of truth after which we are questioning.'
'Thus questioning, we bear witness to the crisis that in our sheer preoccupation with [Capital] we do not yet experience the coming to presence of [Capital], that in our sheer aesthetic-mindedness we no longer guard and preserve the coming to presence of art. Yet the more questioningly we ponder the essence of [Capital], the more mysterious the essence of art becomes.'
(Martin Heidegger, The Question Concerning Technology)
'The growing proletarianization of modern man and the increasing formation of masses are two aspects of the same process. [Capitalism] attempts to organize the newly created proletarian masses without affecting the property structure which the masses strive to eliminate. [Capitalism] sees its salvation in giving these masses not their right, but instead a chance to express themselves. The masses have a right to change property relations; [Capitalism] seeks to give them an expression while preserving property.'
...
'“Fiat ars – pereat mundus” [“Let art be created, though the world shall perish”], says [Capitalism], and expects [Marketing] to supply the artistic gratification of a sense perception that has been changed by technology. This is evidently the consummation of “l’art pour l’art.” Mankind, which in Homer’s time was an object of contemplation for the Olympian gods, now is one for itself. Its self-alienation has reached such a degree that it can experience its own [powerlessness and incompetence] as an aesthetic pleasure of the first order. This is the situation of politics which [Capitalism] is rendering aesthetic. Communism responds by politicizing art.'
...
'“Fiat ars – pereat mundus” [“Let art be created, though the world shall perish”], says [Capitalism], and expects [Marketing] to supply the artistic gratification of a sense perception that has been changed by technology. This is evidently the consummation of “l’art pour l’art.” Mankind, which in Homer’s time was an object of contemplation for the Olympian gods, now is one for itself. Its self-alienation has reached such a degree that it can experience its own [powerlessness and incompetence] as an aesthetic pleasure of the first order. This is the situation of politics which [Capitalism] is rendering aesthetic. Communism responds by politicizing art.'
(Walter Benjamin, The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction)
