Passagen-Werk

About “Passagen-Werk”

The Arcades Project, conceived in Paris in 1927 and still in progress in 1940, was Walter Benjamin's magnum opus. It presents a new theory of history through a literary and philosophical historiography. The work focuses on the Paris arcades—early shopping malls—between 1830 and 1870, a time when the modern industrial world was forming. Benjamin's text immerses readers in the daily life of this period, using concrete details to recreate the atmosphere of 19th-century Paris. The project is a montage of hundreds of topics, including fashion, boredom, collecting, advertising, prostitution, and photography. Benjamin draws from printed sources to describe the material culture of the time, bringing to life elements such as luxury goods, building facades, posters, and clothing. He also explores public spaces like barricades, omnibuses, cafes, and exhibition halls. The work reflects on the theory of progress and the changing nature of urban life.