Psychogeography

I've been reading more about Psychogeography in relation to my research paper and found a good book in the UAL e library by Merlin Coverley. It's interesting to find out that when originally coined as a concept, it was in relation to Urban environments, and, being in the 1950s could have been an indicator of a societal desire to rejuvenate and to connect with something beyond that which held the memories of the second world war.

I'm not specifically interested in or looking at Urban places in my work, but I'm interested in how PG translates to other environments. We can feel all sorts of emotions in all sorts of places after all.

I found these two quotes interesting:

‘The study of the specific effects of the geographical environment, consciously organised or not, on the emotions and behaviour of individuals.’

'Psychogeography seeks to overcome the processes of ‘banalisation’ by which the everyday experience of our surroundings becomes one of drab monotony'

In my work I've been exploring the idea of place and memory - and how we re visit certain places that hold a certain feeling - or conversely seek to avoid places that hold more complicated emotions. I'm also thinking about how walking paths can connect us with the past of others as well as out own. A journey in and out.

I often have conversations with friends about how repeated visits to places can be monotonous. It's easy to slip into a feeling of boredom at the prospect of going to places that are experienced every day, or routes trodden over hundreds if not thousands of times. The school run, trips to the same parks, dog walks etc etc can at times feel dull. But learning about Psychogeography calls to mind some mindful practices - that is, of being in the present, of resting and breathing in one place, really noticing and observing. It's makes me think how I can use this in my work.

A friend recently gave me a OS map of circular walks in the area I live. I want to try some of these (and others more local) and record some observations on paper as I journey along. Perhaps these can sew the seeds of some more work.

This article on the Tate website helped me understand more on PG too.

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/p/psychogeography#:~:text=Psychogeography%20describes%20the%20effect%20of,emotions%20and%20behaviour%20of%20individuals

Psychogeography in relation to Ithell Colquhoun

I've been also looking at Psychogeography in relation to Ithell Colquhoun, and am intrigued by her journey away from Blitz damaged London to find solace and spiritual connection in rural Cornwall.

Initially, she travelled back and forth between London and Cornwall before making a permanent move there in the early 1950s. What impact did this have? I'd love to find out more about her feelings on this movement between places and how this developed her an an artist.

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/p/psychogeography#:~:text=Psychogeography%20describes%20the%20effect%20of,emotions%20and%20behaviour%20of%20individuals

Update: August 2023

Guy Debord

Writing in 1956, Debord claimed that the dérive was “a mode of experimental behaviour linked to the conditions of urban society: a technique of rapid passage through varied ambiences” (Theory of the Dérive,1956). For the Situationists, the aimless stroll of an unplanned journey was a tactic.

Experiments in aimless strolling broke the monotony of the city and were typically followed by secondary theoretical elaborations, such as Debord’s Guide psychographique de Paris.

The Situationists aimed to reclaim individual autonomy from passivity, and establish new relations to the urban environment. Debord’s “guide” consists of a map of Paris cut into pieces and rearranged to create random paths. The dérive is closely connected to the concept of detournement.

https://www.thecollector.com/who-was-philosopher-guy-debord/#