Mario Perniola

Mario Perniola (20 May 1941 – 9 January 2018) was an Italian philosopher and professor of aesthetics, known for his contributions to contemporary philosophy and cultural studies. Born in Asti, Piedmont, he pursued his philosophical studies at the University of Turin under Luigi Pareyson, where he encountered figures like Gianni Vattimo and Umberto Eco. His early career included a significant association with the avant-garde Situationist International movement from 1966 to 1969, maintaining friendly relations with Guy Debord. Perniola held academic positions, notably as a full professor of aesthetics at the University of Salerno starting in 1976, and later at the University of Rome Tor Vergata from 1983. He also served as a visiting professor at numerous international universities. Perniola's prolific writing career produced influential works that delved into various philosophical domains. His early work focused on the philosophy of literature, particularly the self-referential nature of the novel in 'Il metaromanzo' (The Metanovel, 1966). He also engaged with counter-cultural movements and thinkers like George Bataille. His contributions to post-structuralism included theories on simulacra and transit, exploring the logic of seduction and the impact of technology. In later work, he investigated novel ways of feeling, the inorganic's appeal, and art's enduring presence. Perniola was also an active editor, directing journals such as 'Agaragar' and founding 'Agalma. Rivista di Studi Culturali e di Estetica'. His extensive body of work, characterized by its breadth and insight, established him as a significant figure in contemporary philosophy, with many of his writings translated into English and other languages. He passed away in Rome.