Zero's Artist Manifesto (First Draft)

     I began this piece not too long ago by hand. It was of great importance to me and remains as such. I wished to discuss art and the artist much like Oscar Wilde does in his Preface of "The Picture of Dorian Gray". However, my own discussion is longer than his at first glance. I must give credit where it is due, and Mark Molnar, a professor at Heritage College, provided me with the inspiration for some of these points. A few of them have been stated by him in the classroom, but I feel that I have done no justice to him in relating the lessons on art that he has attempted to teach us.

      It should be noted that not only is this incomplete and in the editing process, but it is also not discussing the nature of only the visual artist or the musical artist. Ideally, these statements apply to all forms of artists, whether they be of the written word, the visual arts, or the performing arts.

     Before I end this preface of a sort, I must remind you, the reader, that you may post comments at the bottom of the post. For this specific post, I ask that if you have something to add to my list, then post it and make me aware of it. It is always nice to have another set of eyes look it over. Do enjoy and take care. Until next time,

-Zero

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• Never strive to simply be better than another. If you do so, you will only ever be better than they are. You must create to the best of your ability.
• That which is unexpressed, whether it be an emotion or an idea, is not, by any means, lesser than that which has been expressed.
• Art should not be judged as good or bad based upon what it is expressing. It is how it is expressed that matters.
• The artist must take responsibility for what the artist has created.
• The idea can never be expressed as well as the artist wanted it to be. In this sense, all artists fail. Strive to fail the least.
• No work of art is moral or immoral. The guiding ideas, however, may inspire immorality, or morality. Alas, even the most noble ideas can bring evil.
• Art is not a competition, nor is it a race. All artists must move at their own paces, otherwise the quality of their expressions may fade.
• No artist can, or should, separate from themselves to be completely objective. Perspective is everything. No artist should forsake their own unique perspective.
• First and foremost, art is an expression of self, whether the self being expressed is a group of people, or the artist his/herself.
• The artist is a filter.
• The artist is a sponge.
• Both the real and the imaginary are legitimate sources of inspiration.
• The way in which one views a work of art is reflective of his/her person.
• The way to something, regardless of what it is, is never through the thing itself.
• The best expressions are simply that, expressions.
• No art movement is greater than another. Rather, the expressions produced within varying movements may be greater than other expressions.
• No artist has forever to create. Thus, the artist must utilize his/her time well.
• The artist is a necessary component to humanity.
• Art can change the way in which people think and act.
• There is always good art being made. One simply has to look.
• There is no correct way to create.
• No person is the same. Likewise, no artist is the same. A variety of perspectives creates a rich culture and rich art.
• The artist who creates art that is biographical should expect people to read their work as such. This can be dangerous.
• The reason that leads one to create art does not matter, so long as the reason does not interfere with the quality of the expression.
• The term 'art' is not exclusive for higher quality expressions. Even a child's drawing is art, however low the quality of expression is.
• Art that is truly worth one's time should be shared and preserved.
• Do not judge a work of art by its artist.
• Do not judge an artist by his/her art.
• In all works of art, regardless of how wretched it may be, there is an element of true beauty, however small.
• On being criticized, the artist, with a head of reason, should challenge the criticism and, should it have good reasons behind it, grow from it. If the criticism has no reasonable ground, it should be disregarded. It is a sign the critic has failed most dearly.
• Talent plays a very small role in achieving a greater quality expression. Time, determination, dedication, and passion are far more important.
• Clichés should be created, not used, in the expressions of art. The great express ideas in such a way that all follow in their footsteps.
• The greatest expressions do not simplify the ideas beyond that which is reasonable. Complicated ideas require complicated expression.
• Sometimes the most needed expression of ideas is rejected by many. The artist should express these ideas (so long as the ideas are his/her own) regardless of opposition.
• Critics who resort to ad hominem have failed society and should be disregarded or refuted. Criticisms of a work of art that do not deal with the work of art itself are counter-productive.
• Art causes and fuels revolutions in thought.

-Zero