surrealist manifesting

[Barrett John Erickson]

You wrote:
> re: creating a manifesto for 1995
>...
> would the development of a new manifesto defeat the purpose and
>sentiments of Surrealism? ...

it is an effort to overcome aimless sentiment and return
movement to a stagnant spirit. to reestablish purpose.

>...Isn't the movement supposed to be fairly open
>and free to the dimensions of the mind? ...

"movement's" move. we meet in this space called
"alt.surrealism" because we think we share something
fundamental. but use of the term "surrealism" has become
so loose that new definitions, new terms, are required
to form meaningful alliances. we need to reconnect
with our most basic motivation--to expose, explore and
explode the dimensions of mind.

>...
> I've always thought "manifesto" to be a sinister word. Gives the
>impression that anyone who steps outside the parameters and/or does not
>provide full support will be pursued by the Surrealist Police, and made
>to go to art school taught by abstract expressionists (you...must...use
>....entire...tube...of...yellow...to...express...inner...angst...)
>

not "sinister", subversive. the "parameters" are exploration and
experiment, seeking discovery and revelation--the very antithesis
of the example you use. anyone resisting _this_ unbounded finite, but
professing to be a "surrealist" _should_ have "surrealist police"
on their trail, not with the aim of sending them to art school
but with the mission of reintroducing them to participatory existence.

--barrett

[ZGaynes]

When it comes to a Surrealist Manifesto, I think an immediate question
that must be answered (or ignored) is whether or not to use the online FAQ
format, thus creating a new mutant living entirely within the power
grid... or non-mass-produceable squares of cardboard, turkey feathers,
moveable type and rubberstamps... both contain powerful imagery. The Net
has a digitalinstitutional format, very mainstream, very Defense
Department, and if we the Surreal, the madwomen and yachting enthusiasts,
rebuilt the velodrome of Artpolitik here in the modern matrix, it would be
a sign of immense subversion of the consensus reality, of an invasion of
the System potentially bigger than... than a Congressional lobby! It
could be huge! But the organic, "real-art" format has a greater link to
the past (which as we all know does not exist), and... oh, hell. I've had
my say. I'll leave the debate to others.

Z.