The Super Brand Shopping Mall in Shanghai, the Sands Shoppe Mall in Macau, The Perspective of Walter Benjamin
“Walter Benjamin, as a cultural critic and philosopher, has explored the relationship between art, technology, and society. In regard to contemporary shopping malls, his ideas are of relevance, since he concentrated on the cultural significance of consumerism and the impact of technology on modern life. This can be demonstrated via a comparison of the Super Brand Mall in Shanghai and the Sands Shoppe mall in Macau” (OpenAI, 2023).
“From Benjamin’s perspective, the Super Brand Mall in Shanghai represents the commodification of culture and the homogenization of expesharience. The shopping mall, with its vast array of global brand stores, represents the standardization of culture and the loss of local traditions and practices. Benjamin would argue that the mall creates a false sense of community, where people come together not through shared experiences but through a shared desire to consume” (OpenAI, 2023).
“In contrast, the Sands Shoppe mall in Macau, with its luxurious atmosphere and high-end designer stores, represents the fetishization of commodities. For Benjamin, the shopping center’s focus on luxury goods and high-priced items represents a false consciousness, where people can be assumed to believe that their worth is determined by their ability to acquire expensive things. The mall thus, reinforces the idea that material possessions are the key to happiness and fulfillment, while obscuring the deeper issues of inequality and social injustice that underlie consumer culture” (OpenAI, 2023).
“Overall, from Walter Benjamin’s perspective, both the Super Brand Mall in Shanghai and the Sands Shoppe mall in Macau represent various aspects of the cultural and social implications of consumerism. While the Super Brand Mall places a stress on the global homogenization of culture and the loss of local traditions, the Sands Shoppe mall’s significance revolves around the fetishization of commodities and the false consciousness of globalized, tourism-oriented materialism” (OpenAI, 2023).
“From an economic perspective, the Super Brand Mall in Shanghai and the Sands Shoppe mall in Macau differ in their main parameters and indicators, as well. The Super Brand Mall is one of the largest shopping centers in Asia, with over 13 floors of retail space, a wide range of global brand stores, and an wide array of entertainment options. In contrast, the Sands Shoppe is a luxury shopping center located within the Sands Cotai Central Resort in Macau, with high-end designer stores and fine dining restaurants” (OpenAI, 2023).
“In terms of economic indicators, the Super Brand Mall generates significant revenue and is a major contributor to the local economy. It attracts a large number of domestic and international tourists, who come to shop, dine, and be entertained. In contrast, the Sands Shoppe caters to a more affluent clientele, and its high-end stores and restaurants generate substantial revenue through luxury purchases” (OpenAI, 2023).”
“From a social perspective, the Super Brand Mall and the Sands Shoppe have different implications too. The Super Brand Mall, with its emphasis on global brands and entertainment, creates a sense of cosmopolitanism and cultural exchange. It attracts a diverse mix of people, including visitors, locals, and expats, and provides a space for socializing and community engagement. However, the mall’s focus on consumerism and materialism may also contribute to social inequality and the marginalization of local cultures” (OpenAI, 2023).
“In contrast, the Sands Shoppe is a space that caters to a more exclusive and high-end demographic, where luxury purchases and conspicuous consumption are the norm. While the mall may contribute to the local economy and provide employment opportunities, its focus on luxury goods may also reinforce social stratification and exacerbate income inequality” (OpenAI, 2023).
“Overall, the Super Brand Mall and the Sands Shoppe represent two different approaches to consumerism and commercialism. While the Super Brand Mall emphasizes a more inclusive and diverse approach to shopping and entertainment, the Sands Shoppe caters to a more exclusive clientele” (OpenAI, 2023).
Edited by Pablo Markin
Reference
OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT. [Large language model]. Retrieved from https://chat.openai.com/chat.