TEMPLE – BRIDGE – SCULPTURE HEIDEGGER ON SPACE AND ART

Abstract

This paper is about Heidegger's conception of space and place, with regard to the role of artworks and art in his later philosophy. I will use three main examples – namely, temple, bridge and sculpture – to present the relationship between Heidegger's thinking of space, place and artworks. Therefore, I will analyze The Origin of the Work of Art (1935-36), Building Dwelling Thinking (1951) and The Art and Space (1969). My aim to use the analysis to show that Heidegger's later understanding of space and place is essentially bound to his interpretation of art and artworks. I will also present the dynamics of change of the connotations of place and space in later Heidegger's philosophy. Resulting from the analysis, the problem of space will be presented as one of the key points for the interpretation of Heidegger's philosophy of art. In conclusion, I suggest an interpretation of Heidegger's philosophy of art which would not be orientated on his definition of the essence of all arts, but which would accentuate the differences between multiple phenomena of artworks.