ditchgunn:manifesto (printable version)

Ditchgunn Manifesto:
The Guerrilla Way to Artistic Freedom

Art is not a cult. Unlike the myth perpetuated by hipsters, certain forms of art do not belong to a certain groups of individuals. Although some things are not accepted on a wide basis (and probably should not be), there is no need to try to “preserve the scene.” By judging others who may take interest in what you like, however casual their interest may be, just makes you look like a self-centered elitist. Besides, if something is in that dire need of resuscitation, it is probably dead anyway.

There is no scene. “Scene” is a word thrown around by hipsters who want you to believe they have something you don’t. The more people that use it, the more you know nothing is happening. By realizing that there is no scene, you will not be compelled to save it. Now is the time to break old paradigms and start anew.

Every place Sucks. It doesn’t matter where you live or what you do, everyone thinks there is nothing happening where they are. It is like this no matter where you go. Get used to it. There is no cultural Mecca and if there were one, it would just be filled with pretentious assholes that throw around words like “scene.”

You are fighting the wrong enemy. There is a whole machine out there pumping low quality nothing to you every day. It thrives on finding anything to exploit for cheap. No matter how irritating or obnoxious you think other artists may be, they are not the enemy. What you should be afraid of is being assimilated into the profit-making, hit-generating, fad market. Artist get unwittingly caught-up and sucked into the hype every day. That is your real enemy. That is the real fear. Fight your own brainwashing.

Infiltrate. Any place where you think that the people who want to hear you message will be, you need to be. The Internet is a tool. Set up message boards, yahoo groups, newsletters and live journal/dead journal communities. Write articles for well circulated ‘zines and small publications.

Network. Side-up with like minds. Isolation will get you nowhere. Unite and help each other. Petty wars and backstabbing only hinders progress. There is no need to screw people over to survive.

Open-source is the way to go. Share as much information as possible. A free exchange of ideas is absolutely necessary. It is pointless to keep secrets from other artists. It doesn’t make you special and it doesn’t put you ahead. All it does is show everyone how scared you someone might end up better than you are doing what you do.

Don’t try to convert the world. There is no gospel of truth and you don’t speak it. You may be doing something great, but your way is not the only way. The millions of people out there buying pop records and brand name clothing don’t need to be won over. The ones that want to know will find you.

Think big, work small. Concoct big plans and great ideas, but work with what you have around you. Examine what is available to you in your own backyard before you go to other places. To cut down on cost, do as much as you can yourself. Try to utilize places no one has considered for exhibitions/shows. If the only place available in your town is a community center, use it. You don’t have to book the biggest bands or the hottest venues.

Don’t flatter yourself. You don’t have fans. The concept of a “fan” separated you from the audience. Don’t talk about the people that attend your shows/exhibits or listen to your music as some amorphous mass that exist for your benefit. You are not doing what you do for other people. Someday they will all be gone and only you and your art will remain.

No one owes you an existence. No one cares if you have been doing what you do for days or years, you are not better than anyone else. Regardless of how good you may be or how many asses you kiss, a fevered ego just pisses people off. You do not deserve special treatment. You got to the place where you are because of luck. There are millions of struggling artist better than you that are less lucky. Leave your diluted self-image at the door.

No more Clichés. There are certain catch phrases that are just tripe. Unless you are like Mother Theresa, what you do is not “saving” anyone. You are not bringing people together; sharing love and your art will not cause world peace. Sorry. If you want to martyr yourself for your art (a.k.a.: “die for your art” complex), go ahead. Just don’t whine about it.

There is no one “right” way. There are many different ideas out there. There is no sure-fire way to get where you want. That is why free-exchange of ideas and open source is so important. What works for us may not work for you.

You don’t have to agree with us. You don’t even have to support us or how we think. Take what you want from this manifesto and form your own ideas. Or ignore it completely and do your own thing. Just know we’re out there. We are not trying to change the world; we just want to offer an alternative to the one that exists.

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