Manifestos: Art, Politics and the Idea of Progress

Catalog description

Ever since Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels wrote their "Communist Manifesto" (1848), artists, activists and politicians have used manifestos to announce radical change and justify provocative new ideas or practices. This seminar examines the manifesto as a genre of writing with a particularly strong influence on artistic movements in 20th century Modernism. Looking at examples by poets, musicians, and visual artists, we consider how they are informed by visions of progress, social action, political efficacy, and artistic or historical necessity. Authors include Russolo, Apollinaire, Schoenberg, Munch, Klee, Kandinsky, Stravinsky, Dali, Borges, Artaud, Frank O'Hara, Duchamp, Mallarmé, and Boulez. Enrollment limited to 19 first year students.