Where to Start: Reading Recommendations
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Français
La majorité des écrits des situationnistes, rédigés en français, demeure largement accessible. Pour s'initier à leur pensée, nous recommandons deux ouvrages fondamentaux : La Société du spectacle de Guy Debord (1967, réédition Gallimard, 2008) et Le Traité de savoir-vivre à l’usage des jeunes générations de Raoul Vaneigem (1967, réédition Gallimard, 1992). Par ailleurs, une édition intégrale et enrichie des publications de l’Internationale situationniste (1957-1972) a été publiée par les éditions Arthème Fayard en 1997. Gallimard a également rassemblé les Œuvres de Guy Debord dans un volume publié en 2006.
English
There is no complete translation of Internationale situationniste. However, many of the key texts and other founding documents can be found in the Situationist International Anthology, revised and expanded edition, translated by Ken Knabb (PM Press, 2024). For Raoul Vaneigem’s Traité de savoir-vivre à l’usage des jeunes générations (1967), we recommend the translation of Donald Nicholson-Smith (himself a former member of the SI), The Revolution of Everyday Life (PM Press, 2012). There are several English translations of Guy Debord's The Society of the Spectacle (1967). We recommend those of Donald Nicholson-Smith (Zone Books, 1995) and Ken Knabb (Critical Editions, 2021).
Secondary Sources
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​As a starting point, we recommend our edited volume, The Situationist International: A Critical Handbook, eds. Alastair Hemmens and Gabriel Zacarias (London: Pluto Press, 2019). The introductory chapter provides a critical overview of the reception of the SI, both within and outside the academy, and the book itself contains a broad range of chapters that explore key context and concepts. These latter are, moreover, penned by many of our members. For further research, we recommend exploring the selected publications of our members listed in the ‘members’ section of this site and, for the latest research, new publications listed in our ‘news’ section.
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Archival Resources
There are several important archival collections open to researchers that include both general Situationist materials and the papers of individual group members.
Yale Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Contains the papers of Mustapha Khayati, Gianfranco Sanguinetti, Donald-Nicholson Smith, Jacqueline de Jong, Attila Kotányi, Raoul Vaneigem, Michèle Bernstein, Gianni Emilio Simonetti, and Gil J Wolman. There are also many other collections associated with the life and times of the Situationists.
Website: https://beinecke.library.yale.edu/
Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris
Holds the ‘Fonds Guy Debord’ that collects the papers of Guy Debord and other associated Situationist materials.
Website: https://archivesetmanuscrits.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cc57433n
International Institute of Social History, Amsterdam
Contains the Internationale Situationniste Archives and the René Vienet Collection.
Website: https://iisg.amsterdam/en
Museum Jorn
The research archive contains a large collection of artworks and papers related to the work of Asger Jorn and the Situationist International
Website: https://museumjorn.dk/en/the-archives/
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Bibliothèque Kandinsky, Paris
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Contains documents relating to Lettrism and the Letterist International.
Website: https://portail.sibk.syrtis.fr/
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Research Funding
There are a vast number of different funding bodies based in different countries that may be of use to researchers interested in the Situationists.
The United Kingdom
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Government funding for research projects of all kinds
Website: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/
Leverhulme Trust
Research charity that offers research scholarships, fellowships and prizes.
Website: https://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/
British Academy
Offers a variety of large and small research grants and fellowships.
Website: https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/
The United States of America
Yale Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Fellowships
Has several fellowships permitting researchers to study the archives at Yale
Website: https://beinecke.library.yale.edu/programs/fellowships
Europe
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
A variety of research opportunities funded by the European governement
Website: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu
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Brazil
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FAPESP
Offers funding for doctoral and post-doctoral research.
Website: https://fapesp.br/
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[This is only a first step. If you would like us to add to our list of funding opportunities in your country. Please let us know in the ‘contact’ section.]