Situationism:

Situationism is defined in the dictionary as the following: The theory that human behaviour is determined by surrounding circumstances rather than by personal qualities. And as a  revolutionary political theory which regards modern industrial society as being inevitably oppressive and exploitative.

The Situationists - Guy Debord, Michèle Bernstein and Asger Jorn.
The Situationists – Guy Debord, Michèle Bernstein and Asger Jorn.

Situationism occurred between 1957 and 1972. The small group of Situationists had members of both avante-garde artists and intellectuals. The team were influenced by the concepts of Dada, Surrealism and Lettrism. The Lettrism International was a post-war poetry and music group and they used to change urban landscapes. This group were responsible for founding a magazine called ‘Situationiste Internationale’ at the very begging.

Situationist International - Datacide
Situationist International – Datacide

The “surpression of art” was the team’s main focus, because they wanted to separate art and culture and to transform them into present time moments in life. Basically, they were aspiring to be like the Surrealists and Dadaists and sort of became on the same level as them. Early on, the Situationists was mostly based on aesthetics, therefore most members were artists. However, as time went on, they decided to create more cultural masterpieces. A man called Asger John was the most important person in this area. Predominately in 1962, they began to looks at the topic of capitalist society. They weren’t as focused on the beauty of things, and wanted to show unique messages. Guy Debord was the most significant member to practice this new technique.

Asger Jorn - painting - 1962.
Asger Jorn – painting – 1962.
Asger Jorn - Souriez Rue Froide (disfiguration) - 1962.
Asger Jorn – Souriez Rue Froide (disfiguration) – 1962.