logo of the East London Section of the London Psychogeographical Association

The London Psychogeographical Association (LPA), sometimes referred to as the London Psychogeographical Committee, is an organisation[1] devoted to psychogeography. The LPA is perhaps best understood in the context of psychogeographical praxis.

London Psychogeographical Institute

The LPA was first mentioned in 1957 by the British artist Ralph Rumney, as one of the organisers of the "First Exhibition of Psychogeography" in Brussels, which included his work.[2] According to many accounts the group eventually merged into the Situationist International.[3] Rumney was in fact the only member of the 'Association'.

LPA East London Section

In the 1990s, the LPA was reinvoked as the LPA East London Section by Fabian Tompsett, using the pseudonym Richard Essex, who published a series of newsletters and pamphlets under its name, as well as the writers grouped around the multiple user name Luther Blissett, including Stewart Home. Activities of the ELS also included trips to destinations of psychogeographical interest and the organisation of three sided football matches.

This version of the LPA has been described by the writer Iain Sinclair, whose work is often described as psychogeographical, as useful in "branding" that kind of practice.[4][5]

In 1994 Barry Hugill wrote an article for The Observer covering the LPA. He depicted their ideas as "so cranky that to mention Mr Ackroyd's name in the same breath is to invite a writ." However he also states that "the psychogeographers fear that in 2000 there may be an attempt to perpetuate patriarchy through the ritual murder of a top member of royalty."[6]

The work of Luther Blissett, Stewart Home and other psychogeographical groups is said to involve the issuing of numerous leaflets and letters under a series of aliases, both personal and organisational, and the description of interactions, including collaborations and feuds, between both these and other, real people and groups (for example between Luther Blissett and the parapolitical researcher Larry O'Hara).[7]

The last LPA Newsletter was issued around the year 2000.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 'We're Back', LPA Newsletter, No.1 Imbolc 1993 p1
  2. ↑ Situationist International Online
  3. ↑ Smith, Jeremy (2002). "The situationist city". The Guardian Literary Supplement. Archived from the original on 19 March 2004. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  4. ↑ Fortean Times Magazine | Articles | Archived May 4, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ↑ Edit Red Writing Community Archived May 8, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ↑ 'Cultists' Go Round in Circles', Barry Hugill, The Observer Sunday 28 August 1994
  7. ↑ Stewart Home: Feuds
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