“...without a manifesto, we
cannot conceive the future.” (Kyes, 2008)
The artists’ manifesto can be defined
as a “document of an ideology, crafted to convince and convert.” (Caws, 2000)
On a more personal level, the artist manifesto is an individual document
written to inspire, challenge and motivate. It can help the author to
articulate the parameters of their creative practice and what philosophies the
process is built upon.
I
haven’t written a personal creativity manifesto as yet. But I have identified that
having an engaging
narrative supporting creative ideas is at the core of my creative practice.
Seth Godin's (2009) tribe building theory is underpinned by the central aim to tell
a story that connects with its audience and creates a sense of community.
Daniel Pink says that storytelling
is important because as “facts become so widely available and instantly
accessible, each one becomes less valuable. What begins to matter is the
ability to place these facts in context and to deliver them with emotional
impact.” (Pink, 2009) Narrative therefore helps to generate interest in ideas,
and provides people with a story with which they can subscribe to.
Godin
says that we are searching for meaning and a tribe to ascribe to, articulating
that we "are living through and are right at the key moment of a change in
the ways ideas are created, and spread, and implemented." He
calls this the ‘time of Tribes' – which is defined by storytelling, ‘connecting
people and ideas.’ (Godin, 2009) The objectives
for my creative projects are underpinned by Seth Godin’s leadership theory of
building a tribe, described by his four steps; Telling a Story, Connecting like
minded people, Leading the movement to Make Change.
Telling a Story
For my projects to be successful
they must connect or resonate with their audience.
Godin and Pink see a future
defined by shared storytelling, a way to connect like-minded
people and ideas.
Connect Like-minded
people
Projects are interactive and
experiential, helping to cultivate a wide audience.
Collaboration is key. Projects share
visions, and contributors bring a variety of skills from
different disciplinary
backgrounds.
Leading the Movement
Be exemplary and step into the
unknown as a role model, mentor and guide.
Make Change
Ensure the projects have longevity
and new ideas can keep being adapted from previous ideas.
Challenge creative thinking
processes in order to find new connections and propose
new cross-disciplinary
relationships.
Caws, M.A.
(2000) Manifesto: A Century of Isms.
University of Nebraska Press: USA.
Godin, S.
(2009) The Tribes we Lead. TED Talks
[Online] Accessed 20/06/2014, from http://www.ted.com/talks/seth_godin_on_the_tribes_we_lead
Kyes, Z.
(2008) Manifesto’s of the Future.
e-flux [Online] Accessed 20/06/2014 from,
http://www.e-flux.com/journal/manifestos-for-the-future/#_ftn5
Pink, D.
(2005) A Whole New Mind; Moving from the
Information Age to the Conceptual Age. Riverhead, Penguin Books: USA.
