Speculative scholarship depends on networks of associated thoughts, cooperative thinkers, and linked projects. Centering on iPSA, the institute for Psychoanalytical Studies in Architecture, zoom projects have linked diverse thinkers interested in such topics as the Stendhal Syndrome, Lacan’s ‘alethosphere’, magic, and comics. By reversing the order of the standard conference, brainstorming can take place first, with formalized presentations decentralized by YouTube publication. The idea of scholarly CONVIVIALITY, promoted by Ivan Illich, returns, even in the time of pandemic.
iPSA: institute for psychoanalytical studies of architecture
The Institute for Psychoanalytic Studies in Architecture is a collective of academics, clinicians, and practitioners interested in relating architecture theory to the Freudian–Lacanian field. The group sponsors discussions, round-tables, workshops, symposia, and public conferences following the schMOOZ model (reverse-zoming) that begins with small–group conversations on topics of common interest and aims to produce publicly accessible videos, zoom symposia, scholarly papers, a journal (Psyche Extended), and books. Membership is open to any interested readers of psychoanalysis with an interest in the built environment, the landscape, and places created in fiction, art, photography, and film.
projective geometry
Despite the intimate integration of topology and knot theory into Lacan’s theory of the subject, there are almost no Lacanians familiar with the fundamental theorems of Pappus of Alexandria or Girard Desargues. Apart from works such as Elie Ragland’s Lacan: Topologically Speaking (Lacanian Clinical Field) and Will Greenshield’s Writing the Structures of the Subject: Lacan and Topology, many Lacanians wish all the mathematics would just go away. Norman Wildberger has a fix for numberphobia in his series of podcasts on the history of mathematics. These lectures from the University of New South Wales cover a wide range of topics; but for starters I recommend his introduction to projective geometry, beginning with the Theorem of Pappus.
the institute for psychoanalysis and psychotherapy in ireland / FLi
APPI is the largest group of psychoanalytic clinicians in Ireland. They started out in 1993 as a relatively small group sharing an interest in psychoanalysis and drawn to the work of Freud and Lacan, which remains their focus. APPI works closely with Freud Lacan Institute (FLi) to produce regular webinars, reading groups, and other programs.
Overseas membership is available to individuals who are living outside Ireland and are interested in psychoanalysis and the unconscious life of individuals and how it affects us in our personal and work lives. Overseas members are non-accredited members of APPI. Benefits of Overseas Membership:
- Receive a regular e-bulletin with news of events and developments in the field of psychoanalysis.
- Receive Lacunae – the APPI Journal for Lacanian Psychoanalysis (published twice yearly).
- Get access to PEP-web, the signature online reference tool for psychoanalysis.