Psy-Geo-Conflux

In May, 2003, psychogeographers from the U.S., Canada, U.K., France and the Netherlands gathered in New York for the first Psy-Geo-Conflux, an annual event dedicated to current artistic and social investigations in psychogeography. Part festival and part conference, it brought together visual and sound artists, writers and urban adventurers to explore the physical and psychological landscape of the city.

Conflux particpants conducted experimental walks using computer code, decks of cards and other systems for navigation; a mobile-phone-guided drift through the streets of New York; a life-sized chess game using humans as pieces; several talks and presentations; a noise parade; an art exhibition; and a night of psychogeography-inspired live music, DJs, and video. Village Voice writer Bryan Zimmerman noted, "The event is centered around a seasoned yet growing field of creative recreation and alt-geographic exploration called psychogeography. Trying to define this obtuse field is an adventure itself, although a relatively straightforward definition includes "the study of the effects of the geographic environment on the emotions and behavior of individuals." One of the boldest characteristics of psychogeography may be its ability to influence and bring together all kinds of artists, social scientists, philosophers, urban provocateurs and spelunkers, and even traditional geographers, in an entirely accessible venue-public space." [1]

The Conflux was produced by ABC No Rio (http://www.abcnorio.org), the Brooklyn Psychogeographical Association and Glowlab (http://www.glowlab.com). As part of the Conflux, the Psy-Geo Board online psychogeography forum (http://psygeocon.interactivist.net/messageboard/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=psygeocon) was established. Documentation of all Conflux events and other information can be found on the Psy-Geo-Conflux website (http://www.glowlab.com/psygeocon/pgc_index).

1. Psychogeographers Navigate New York City's Changing Landscape (http://villagevoice.com/issues/0319/zimmerman.php) by Bryan Zimmerman, Village Voice, May 7, 2003.