Poetics of Space
Back of the Book
Since its initial publication in 1958, The Poetics of Space has been a muse to philosophers, architects, writers, psychologists, critics, and readers alike. The rare work of irresistibly inviting philosophy, Bachelard's seminal work brims with quiet revelations and stirring, mysterious imagery. This lyrical journey takes as its premise the emergence of the poetic image and finds an ideal metaphor in the intimate spaces of our homes. Guiding us through a stream of meditations on poetry, art, and the blooming of consciousness itself, Bachelard examines the domestic places that shape and hold our dreams and memories. Houses and rooms; cellars and attics; drawers, chests, and wardrobes; nests and shells; nooks and corners: No space is too vast or too small to be filled by our thoughts and our reveries. In Bachelard's enchanting spaces, "We are never real historians, but always near poets, and our emotion is perhaps nothing but an expression of a poetry that was lost."
We Love It Because
To engage with the spaces we inhabit produces lasting opportunities for expansion. Bachelard utilizes the idea of structures to aid in reflection. There is romanticism in the intimacy of what surrounds us. Poetics of Space supports our imagination that expands within the mundane. The poetic images of places leave a lasting impact on how we relate to the world that surrounds us.
Memorable Passage
…over and beyond our memories, the house we were born in is physically inscribed in us. It is a group of organic habits. After twenty years, in spite of all the other anonymous stairways; we would recapture the reflexes of the “first stairway,” we would not stumble on that rather high step. The house’s entire being would open up, faithful to our own being. We would push the door that creaks with the same gesture, we would find our way in the dark to the distant attic. The feel of the tiniest latch has remained in our hands.
About the Author
Gaston Bachelard (1884–1962) was a French philosopher, poet, and literary critic whose profound exploration of the philosophy of science and poetics significantly influenced 20th-century intellectual thought. Renowned for his groundbreaking work The Poetics of Space, Bachelard delved into the psychological significance of spaces and their impact on the human imagination. His interdisciplinary approach, combining philosophy with insights from literature and science, challenged traditional Cartesian perspectives. Bachelard's innovative ideas on the poetics of the elements, such as fire and water, transcended academic boundaries and resonated with artists, writers, and thinkers alike. His philosophical inquiries into the intimate relationship between the mind and the environment continue to inspire those interested in the intersections of philosophy, psychology, and creativity. Gaston Bachelard is worth knowing for his transformative impact on phenomenology, his eloquent prose, and his enduring legacy as a philosopher who reshaped our understanding of the poetic dimensions inherent in our lived experiences.
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