​

When we began to ask, in September of 2021, how we might explore the registers of fascism and/or authoritarianism that have emerged in the past decade, our initial discussions were very much informed by the Spectacular State project created in 1995 by Derek Simons and Richard Pinet.

Derek continued to shape our discussions ( for more details, please see his introduction to the Research Section of this website ) and in September 2023 he created a research component he titled 'Grotesque Naturalism' — a visual exploration of fascism as explored through what he referred to as a 'scrape of popular culture'. The project and Derek's work were introduced to the public, in the context of an exhibition titled Poetics of Possibilities at the Vancouver Roundhouse Arts and Community Centre ( of which Derek had been the original director ). This was also the introduction of the 'map', in this instance as an invitation to the public to draw, write and reflect on their experience of changes to Space, Value and Presence.​

Tragically, Derek Simons passed away in June of 2024, and we dedicate these pages and the project to his memory.