The Spectacle of Disintegration: Situationist Passages Out of the 20th Century

In this discerning and insightful companion piece to his previous book on the Situationist International, The Beach Beneath the Street, Wark examines the lives and the influence of the SI after it disintegrated in the wake of the May '68 defeat. To do this he deftly interweaves biographies and societal shifts with political and historical events, highlighting the enduring pertinence of their theoretical contributions as they inform contemporary life. Yet, the appeal of this book exceeds that of historical analysis through its ludic intelligence and the breadth of material employed. For instance, Wark discusses political upheaval in Thailand, Occupy Wall Street, Surrealist art, environmental concerns, and contemporary Nigerian tactical resistance. His analyses illuminate the current economic disenfranchisement and social dystopia for the purpose of inquiring, with the Situationists, whether alternative ways of life are still possible: What remains salient in their critique of the spectacle of modern life? This is not a mere laudatory screed, rather Wark is careful to avoid over-romanticizing. The only minor detraction, Wark's occasional lapse into hyperbole or reductionism, is easily overlooked. Extensively researched and wittily composed, this analysis of the Situationist International demonstrates their persistent relevance to contemporary society. (May)