To be is to seem or the Dandism of forms: Attitudes, self-representation and performativity in Abraham Valdelomar [Ser es parecer o el dandismo de las formas: Actitudes, autorepresentación y performatividad en Abraham Valdelomar].

Abstract

This article starts with the idea of the splitting, proposed by the Peruvian critic Luis Alberto Sánchez to refer to the work of Peruvian author Abraham Valdelomar. According to Sánchez, there were two aspects: the first one, dandyism, was acquired; the second one was congenital, and it informed its Peruvian and regional Literature. In Sanchéz's words, there was a real and a fake Valdelomar. A Valdelomar worthy of entering the Peruvian literary canon is opposed to a Valdelomar who was not necessary to remember, who made of and with his body a text that, according to Sánchez's logic, it was not worth reading within what can be considered his serious work. Contrary to this opinion, this paper proposes that in the case of Valdelomar, his literary work cannot be understood without taking into account his dandyism. In this way, this paper shows the way in which the Peruvian author, both in his written production as well as in his performativity, built a framework in which he was able to legitimize his dandyism. In short, our intention is to demonstrate how written text and performative action are part of the same work, which also includes the body of the author. With both elements, he made up the framework of his dandyism.