Before I started anything I started to think about what did I want to find out, what questions did I have. But also I realised research for this project wasn’t just about looking at other’s manifestos, but I would need to start looking into myself and determine who I want to be but what I want this manifesto to mean and communicate.
I actually first started looking at the examples given to us from previous students, I thought this was important because established artists know who they are, where as we are only starting to define our identities. And the variety I saw made me realise this is so personal, and everyone has different aspirations and goals.
When researching I discovered Judith’s Bernstein’s Manifesto. This was the one which inspired me the most. I didn’t want to have a manifesto which couldn’t necessarily be used, this gave you a list of activities and practises one could actually be used. I discovered several manifestos which were more conceptual, which I didn’t connect to, they didn’t inspire me.
The idea of a personal manifesto, the word personal was important. I decided at this point I wanted this manifesto to be for me. Not to define myself, because I believe my identity as an artist will constantly change, growth is important, and to make sure that point is evident in my final manifesto.