This is a copy of an art manifesto for the Disassociative Art Movement. An art movement is sorely needed at this time, and I believe that the ideas expressed have potential. Please read with an open mind:
[url=http://michaelwoods.blogspot.com/]http://michaelwoods.blogspot.com/[/url]
Sincerely,
M. Woods
This is a copy of an art manifesto for the Disassociative Art Movement. An art movement is sorely needed at this time, and I believe that the ideas expressed have potential. Please read with an open mind:
[url=http://michaelwoods.blogspot.com/]http://michaelwoods.blogspot.com/[/url]
Sincerely,
M. Woods
[quote][/quote]counter-cultures catering to the mainstream[quote][/quote]?????
Was wondering about your position on counter-cultures, the above statement strikes me as something of a contradiction, could you elaborate more?
The way I see it, mainstream culture has always been quick to capitalize on developing 'counter cultures' and quickly finds a way to commercialize emerging trends in youth culture by replicating the superficial apperences of an emerging counter cultural trend and selling
a consumer orientated version back to the mass audience that the initial movement was trying reach, the mainstream channels do this so rapidly, that most counter cultural movements are little more than parodies of what they originally stood for by the time they reach there intended audience. But I see this as more a situation of mainstream culture catering to counter-culture, or rather mainstream culture's automatic ability to sterilize any movement that may exist in opposition to it's interests.
Anyway just wanted to express my thoughts on that subject, because it is an area I am very interested in at the moment, I would like to congratulate you on your manifesto though I think it raises some very important questions.
Would like to discuss about it more.
It does seem contradictory in terms, and that is why I believe it to be disturbing. I believe that now the idea of individuality and of counterculture in many ways is being exported by the mainstream media/culture in order to curb true rebellion. If one is given the ability to become counter-culture and individual easily, one will go no further, and that is what can be seen in the later incarnations of the supposed "punk" movements. Other than the movement breaking down into one in which nihilism is all to prevalent, it has become a major export of the mainstream. The revolutionaries within this group are either marginalized by their nihilist tendencies or by their sincere political leanings - however I feel as though Punk is now dead. I believe punk died in the eighties with the D.C. Straight Edge Hardcore movement and has not truly been in existence since. The Straight Edge movement was in reality a very "Anti-Punk" or at least Anti-Nihilist and Nazi Punk movement. Others sight the No-Wave movement and such.
So, I no longer believe it is a question of the mainstream media commercializing youth culture. I believe that mainstream media and culture have found a way to create "counter-culture" and "individuality". There was a dunkaroos commercial on nickelodeon last year where a kangaroo rode a skateboard saying, "Oi, Oi, Oi!" Other than being completely ridiculously funny, for those with no knowledge of what "punk" is as an ideology can attach themselves to that image and believe it is counter-culture. I believe where the disconnect in our communication comes from is our understanding of the word "counter-culture" in the sincere sense and in the marketed sense. I believe you have taken my words to mean, "Sincere counter-culture caters to the mainstream" but I mean to say "Synthetic counter-culture - a construct created by the mainstream and sometimes adapted by a sincere counter-culture - caters to the mainstream". This is my fault and I will make sure to edit the manifesto accordingly.
As you can see, I have my issues with the Punk Movement, and especially with those who care to call it a culture. Punk has strayed completely from its initial philosophies and is now a hodge-podge of different looks and attitudes, an easy way for one to categorize him or herself if he or she feels inadequate with their true personage. I love punk and I hate it, but despite my sentiments it is dead as a sincere counter-culture. It is now mass-media property.
Sincerely,
M. Woods
Thank you for bringing up this point. I look forward to discussing things further.
All those interested in the Disassociative Movement who live in and around the New York City Metropolitan Area or the Chicagoland area, please feel free to message me. This summer and this coming fall we will be starting up a reading group, a debate/political group (applying the mechanomorphic hypothesis to the chaotic times in which we now live so as to plan protests and other productive social activities to facilitate change in society), an acting/filmmaking/art group in which we will create music, art installations, video art, experimental/narrative short/feature films, street art, and literature. We need to act now in order to end the detrimental practices of the government, the mass media, pervasive hedonism, and all of those who have become affected adversely by these invasive forces.
Sincerely,
M. Woods
In addition, (this is directed to all professional experimental filmmakers in these areas looking for interns) those of us who are currently involved with Disassociatism - admittedly student and/or amateurs - would love to hone our skills working for you and learning the tools of the trade. Please correspond with the group via my profile; my contact information is posted.
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