Assignment #7

As a starting point, use your in-class writing to the various questions about the relationship among art, audience and artist to construct your own manifesto. As we discussed in class, a manifesto is a statement and a proclamation. It lays down a course of action or response and frequently exists to provoke responses. It usually doesn't ask questions but rather states conclusions. It is generally not indefinite but certain. in tone and strives to influence others or establish a position around which a group of artists and intellectuals can gather. Be prepared to return from Spring break with your manifesto written, the length is up to you. I recommend that your manifesto be expressed in clear, direct and concrete statements, and that it be certain and hard-headed not soft and mushy. A manifesto is a forum in which it is possible to overstate if that is your desire, subtlety is not a value in constructing manifesti. You can produce your manifesto for distribution via audio or video if you prefer, rather than just writing it. I look forward to reading these after Spring break.

Here is a link to Tristan Tzara's Seven Dada Manifestoes and Lampisteries for some inspiration and example.

Here is an important statement, a sort of manifesto beyond all manifestoes called In My Own Language, it is on YouTube and is a statement about the autistic mind by an autistic person.