Manchester Area Psychogeographic

Manchester Area Psychogeographic (MAP) is a psychogeographical group that published 9 newsletters between 1996 and 1998, as well as undertaking a number of derives ([literally: "drifting"], a technique of rapid passage through varied ambiances. Dérives involve playful-constructive behavior and awareness of psychogeographical effects, and are thus quite different from the classic notions of journey or stroll.) and other activities. The first anonymous newsletter in 1995 was a response to the City Council's redevelopment of the so-called Northern Quarter of Manchester.

"No to gentrification, no to museumification. We were saying, let the buildings fall down, if they must. We wanted to walk unregulated, unrepaired, atmospheric streets. We've moved on from that, but it got MAP started."


 * --MAP in interview with John Eden

The first recorded action was the Levitation of the Corn Exchange, on February 10,1996, commemorating the 400th anniversary of the arrival in Manchester of Dr John Dee, as Warden of the Collegiate Church, later the Cathedral, which stands next to the Corn Exchange.

Some time after the IRA bomb in Manchester, 1996 and with the dawning of the millenimun, Manchester Area Psychogeographic disbanded. However, several years later, some members of MAP have become involved in organising derives and psychogeographical actions with the Shaping, the Bored in the City Collective and the Loiterers Resistance Movement. For further details of what psychogeographical actions are taking place in the Manchester region, go to the MAP web board at: http://map.twentythree.us/board/index.php