Project Sigma, which was the focus of much of Alexander Trocchi’s work from 1962-1977, was an attempt by Trocchi to establish an international network of counter cultural activism largely focused on socially based institutions perceived as limiting free expression such as the media, universities, and workplaces.
According to Beatbooks catalog, #92: “Project Sigma, which grew out of Alexander Trocchi’s involvement with the Situationist International (he was expelled by Guy Debord in 1963), was an ambitious attempt to establish an international network of countercultural activism focused on institutions Trocchi perceived as limiting free expression, including the media, universities and workplaces. The Sigma Portfolio, circulated on a subscription basis, was the concrete manifestation of his project, an invitation to recipients (artists, writers and intellectuals) to participate with their own contributions, as well as acting as an exemplar of underground self-dissemination.
“Several issues were mimeographed by Jeff Nuttall, sometimes assisted by Bob Cobbing, and Trocchi’s neighbour in the flat below him in Notting Hill, Marcus Field, helped in its organisation and collation (insofar as this was necessary, since some issues consisted of a single sheet).
“It has never been clear exactly how many issues were produced, though it’s been claimed there were as many as 39 (other reports suggest 37). It seems likely that several were never printed, possibly as many as 12 or 13…”
1a. THE MOVING TIMES, Sigma Portfolio , No. 1, edited by Alexander Trocchi and Jeff Nuttall
London: Project Sigma, 1964
First edition, broadsheet, 19” x 29”, letterpress printed at Villiers.
Contents: Alexander Trocchi – “The Barbecue”, Kenneth White – “The Real Climate”, William Burroughs – “Martin’s Folly”, Antonin Artaud – “The Theater”.
(See Maynard & Miles C109)
According to Beatbooks catalog #92, the title originated from the broadsheet edited by Burroughs which appeared in Jeff Nuttall’s My Own Mag, No. 6 earlier in 1964.
Note: The design of this, Trocchi’s first release under the banner of the Sigma Portfolio, was a large poster designed to resemble the front page of a newspaper and originally intended to be displayed in subway stations until the project became unfeasible.
1b. THE MOVING TIMES, Sigma Portfolio, No. 1, edited by Alexander Trocchi and Jeff Nuttall
London: Project Sigma, 1964
First edition, second issue, double-sided folded broadsheet, 17” x 13.5”. Printed by Brian Pottle from the Stanhope Press.
(See Maynard & Miles C109).
2. Trocchi, Alexander. INVISIBLE INSURRECTION OF A MILLION MINDS, Sigma Portfolio, No. 2
London: Project Sigma, 1964
First edition, side stapled, 8” x 13”, 8 pages, mimeograph printed.
Contents: Alexander Trocchi – “Invisible Insurrection of a Million Minds”. Originally published in the Saltire Review (1962) and subsequently printed in Internationale Situationniste (January 1963), as “Technique du Coup du Monde”
According to Beatbooks catalog #92, “The most comprehensive articulation of the Sigma experiment. In it, Trocchi argues ‘that a cultural revolution is already happening, that techniques can and are being invented for transcending conventional functions which are not appropriate to any imaginable future. Amongst other ideas is that of the “spontaneous university”, a fertile and experimental ambiance designed to equip men and women with those inner resources without which they will be unable to contend with LEISURE… a dominant fact of the future.'”
3. Trocchi, Alexander. SIGMA: A TACTICAL BLUEPRINT, Sigma Portfolio, No. 3
London: Project Sigma, 1964.
First edition, corner-stapled, 8” x 13”, 8 pages, mimeograph printed.
Contents: Alexander Trocchi – “Sigma: A Tactical Blueprint”
According to Beatbooks catalog #92, a development of the thesis outlined in the previous issue, including an explanation of the reasons behind the choice of the word ‘sigma’.
Note: an important early text outlining plans for the Sigma Project. The first separate edition, originally printed in City Lights Journal, No. 2.
Variant: edited to six pages and with different formatting.
4. [Trocchi, Alexander]. POTLATCH, Sigma Portfolio, No. 4
London: Project Sigma, July 1964
First edition, corner-stapled, 8” x 13”, 8 pages, mimeograph printed.
Contents: anonymous [Alexander Trocchi] – “Potlatch”
Note: an anonymous text, formatted as a letter to Feliks Topolski [according to Trocchi papers] asking for contributions for an interpersonal log-book for Sigma members. The text continues with an in-depth explanation of Situationist theory.
5. Trocchi, Alexander. SIGMA GENERAL INFORMATION SERVICE EXISTENTIAL CONSULTANTS LONDON PARIS NEW YORK, Sigma Portfolio, No. 5
London: Project Sigma, 1964
First edition, corner-stapled, 8” x 13”, 8 pages, mimeograph printed.
Contents: anonymous [written by Trocchi] – “Sigma General Information Service Existential Consultants London Paris New York”
Note: essay discussing the Sigma Project in relation to theories from Burroughs, McClure, R.D. Laing, Wallace Berman, and others.