ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Les héros de la pensée: 26-hour marathon of collective thinking transcribed

publication · 2026-05-01

A new book titled 'Les héros de la pensée, A-Z 26: 00' captures a distinctive endurance experiment orchestrated by Massimo Furlan alongside anthropologist Claire de Ribeaupierre. The event featured eight participants, including Marc Augé and Pierre-Olivier Dittmar, who engaged in discussions spanning various themes from 'Alcool' to 'Zoophilie' over a marathon 26-hour period. Each hour involved a thematic conversation paired with music improvisation and wine tasting curated by Emmanuel Giraud. Held at bar l'Interlope in Neuchâtel from January 21 to 22, 2012, this project, managed by CAN, is documented in a comprehensive text by Christophe Kihm.

Key facts

  • Book transcribes a 26-hour performance of collective thinking
  • Initiated by Massimo Furlan and Claire de Ribeaupierre
  • Eight participants: Marc Augé, Pierre-Olivier Dittmar, Daniel Fabre, Bastien Gallet, Jacques Hainard, Serge Margel, David Zerbib
  • Protocol: one letter per hour from A to Z over 26 hours
  • Each entry included musical improvisation and wine tasting
  • Wine selected by Emmanuel Giraud
  • Event held at bar l'Interlope in Neuchâtel on January 21–22, 2012
  • Initiated by CAN (Can/Numéro23prod)
  • Transcription includes oral and musical elements
  • Text by Christophe Kihm

Entities

Artists

  • Massimo Furlan
  • Claire de Ribeaupierre
  • Marc Augé
  • Pierre-Olivier Dittmar
  • Daniel Fabre
  • Bastien Gallet
  • Jacques Hainard
  • Serge Margel
  • David Zerbib
  • Emmanuel Giraud
  • Christophe Kihm

Institutions

  • CAN
  • Can/Numéro23prod
  • bar l'Interlope

Locations

  • Neuchâtel
  • Switzerland

Sources