25 September 2013

Situationists (and memory balls?)

Situationism. A movement that started in 1957 that lasted only 15 years (see http://libcom.org/thought/ideas/situationists). Connected with psychogeography. Influential in the May 1968 insurgencies in France.

" Situationist tactics included attempting to create “situations” where humans would interact together as people, not mediated by commodities. They saw in moments of true community the possibility of a future, joyful and un-alienated society."

When the Situationist International was first formed, it had a predominantly artistic focus; emphasis was placed on concepts like unitary urbanism and psychogeography. Gradually, however, that focus shifted more towards revolutionary and political theory" says wikipedia.

-Relevant to the way that people, in museums that have displays of domestic items, delight in finding the ones they had at home, back then. They aren't purchasing these "old things" but there is "mediation by commodities" nonetheless, how to avoid this...? When I get people involved in winding yarn for the memory balls, this is connection through remembered activity. It's participation, perhaps also involving nostalgia - an active act, not the passive act of looking. The kinesthetic sense is involved, plus touch, plus the sound (faint). Plus the interaction with a stranger.

-Encountered at the breakfast table, as Mr T read an article in Tate Etc (new issue just arrived) about leftist art. I knew the term but could not explain it. Fortunately the article had some good words of succinct explanation:

"The Situationist theory of "The Society of the Spectacle" posits that the mass media have invested inanimate commodities with life and energy while sucking it out of the poor consumer, who can experience the world only by proxy, his desires having been routed through acts of purchase and consumption."
Barbara Kruger - known for billboards
-Names associated with situationism - Guy Debord, Asger Jorn, etc
-Artists using situationist concepts - Barbara Kruger, Victor Burgin,  Banksy, Cildo Mierles.

1 comment:

irene macwilliam said...

your text
"The Situationist theory of "The Society of the Spectacle" posits that the mass media have invested inanimate commodities with life and energy while sucking it out of the poor consumer, who can experience the world only by proxy, his desires having been routed through acts of purchase and consumption.
my comment
and they were so right when you think of all the technology and how many of us experience life through our screens..... where would I be without your great blog to read and cogitate. Thank you