Manifestos

Manifestos are "public declarations of principles or intentions," such as The Declaration of Independence, Declaration of the Rights of Man, or Dogme 95. Each outlines a series of principles and ideas, resolves to carry them out, and (sometimes) outlines how the author, or others, will do this.

The ideas being expressed must be original, though not for novelty's sake. Often the writer condenses and re-expresses a philosophy described elsewhere; however, the writing must have some added value that a detailed treatise does not have. Sometimes the intent is humorous, or provocative, or just plain weird.

Our Favorite Manifestos

Manifesto of the Anti-Fascist Intellectuals. By Benedetto Croce, 1925. A dire warning against the dangers of fascism and the responsibility of artists, scientists and other intellectuals.

The Necessity of Atheism. By Percy Bysshe Shelley, husband of Mary Shelley, 1811 & 1813. A cogently argued case against God and organized religion.

The OK Art Manifesto, by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Susie Ramsay, 2001. A satirical treatise on art that "isn't so bad."

The Riot Grrrl Manifesto. By Kathleen Hanna, circa 1992. Describes how young women crave a youth culture that speaks to them, and want to create art that satisfies their desire for change and revolution.

The SCUM Manifesto by Valerie Solanas. Part satire, part lunacy, Solanas's infamous manifesto called the male a "biological accident" and "to call a man a human is to flatter him." Though not exactly inspirational, Solanas's tract has incited debate and serves as an excellent "case study" for the psychological effects of sexism.

The White Rose Leaflets. By Sophie Scholl, Hans Scholl, Alex Schmorell, Willi Graf, Christoph Probst, Traute Lafrenz, Katharina Schueddekopf, Lieselotte Berndl, Jurgen Wittenstein, and Falk Harnack, 1942. Though not manifestos exactly, these leaflets opposed the Nazi regime and called for resistance, in the face of certain death.

The Zürvanic Manifesto, by Antonin Alexander. A powerful artistic statement against mediocrity, uniformity and cultural corruption.