What was the impact of the Situationist International on painting and art in general?

The Situationist International (SI) was a revolutionary art movement founded in 1957 that aimed to overthrow capitalism and create a new society based on the principles of freedom and creativity. Although primarily known for its political and social activism, the SI had a significant impact on painting and art in general, particularly on the movement known as 'psychogeography'.

Psychogeography is a term coined by the SI to describe the effect of the environment on the emotions and behavior of individuals. It involves exploring the urban environment in a way that allows individuals to discover its hidden meanings and subvert the dominant culture. Psychogeography had a profound influence on the development of abstract expressionism, and was a major influence on artists such as Guy Debord, Asger Jorn, and Constant Nieuwenhuys.

The SI also had a significant impact on the practice of 'detournement', which involved taking existing images and re-appropriating them for political and artistic purposes. Detournement was used by the SI to subvert the capitalist system and was a major influence on the development of pop art in the 1960s.

In conclusion, the Situationist International had a profound impact on painting and art in general, particularly through its influence on psychogeography and detournement. Its ideas and methods continue to be influential today, and its legacy can be seen in the work of contemporary artists and art movements.