Société Populaire

Weep no more, citizens; they breathe, these celebrated men for whom we cry; our patriotism reanimates them. Presented in honor of Marat and Le Pelletier, "Citizen Sade" wrote this memorial address at the height of violence during the French Revolution, just after the start of the Reign of Terror. The text, effusive and cloyingly patriotic, brings to question Sade's own political position – a provocative impulse all the more remarkable given the addresses audience: the gathered Section des Piques, amongst the most hardline Jacobin districts of Paris. Though frequently cited and made infamous as the inspiration for Peter Weiss' influential work of avant-garde theater Marat/Sade, the text itself has remained obscure outside of France. Presented in English for the first time, this new translation by Robin Mackay serves as the historical foundation for a collection of artists' writings. Included are Paul Chan, Claire Fontaine, Gareth James, Sam Lewitt, Pratchaya Phinthong, Pamela Rosenkranz, John Russell, and Antek Walczak.