Description

"Shanzhai" is a Chinese neologism that refers to the appropriation of a form or idea, dismissing its originality. A shanzhai is a fake, a pirated copy, a parody. Initially applied to counterfeit electronics and clothing brands, this concept now encompasses all aspects of life in China: there is shanzhai architecture, shanzhai food, shanzhai members of parliament, and even shanzhai entertainment stars. Since their appeal lies precisely in their functional and ingenious variations, they are much more than mere cheap imitations. They don't intend to deceive anyone. Their undeniable capacity for innovation is not defined by genius or creation ex nihilo, but by being part of an anonymous and continuous process of combination and mutation.

Drawing on this and other concepts found in the long tradition of Chinese art, as well as in Buddhism and Taoism, cultural theorist Byung-Chul Han reveals in this insightful essay some keys to understanding the different positions of East and West regarding contemporary issues such as intellectual property laws, heritage preservation, and cloning. The Western belief in the immutability and permanence of substance corresponds to a notion of authorship and originality: the self is equal to itself, and therefore all reproduction has something demonic about it, destroying primary identity and purity. Chinese thought, on the other hand, is deconstructive from its inception, dispensing with any idea of ​​being and essence. In contrast to identity, it champions transformative difference; in contrast to being, it champions the path.

Author
Byung-Chul Han

Technical specifications
Published by: Black Box
Year: 2023
Type: Book
Binding: Paperback
Dimensions: 20 x 13 cm
Weight: 115 gr
Spanish
Pages: 88
ISBN: 978-987-1622-50-4