Introduced by the French theorist Guy Debord in the 1950s, the dérive (or “drift”) is a playful walk through the city that breaks up the usual routine. Through the dérive, Debord encouraged people to become aware of the encroachment of capitalism and consumerism on everyday urban life, a seemingly endless cycle of passive consumption. He called this oppressive force of mass-media commercial culture the “Society of the Spectacle. “

Archetypal psychologist James Hillman offered another view of city life. He agreed with Debord that “we restore the soul when we restore the city in our individual hearts, the courage, the imagination and love that we bring to civilization” (Hillman, 2006). However, Debord was more of a revolutionary while Hillman emphasized an inner psychological transformation that he called “seeing through.” He maintained that how one consciously experiences a walk in the city is deeply tied to the unconscious mind and that the images and fantasies found in urban environments are essential to the soul.

Seeing through the eyes of the soul.