CONSTRUCT!

Manifesto for Art in the 21st Century

Art is something that by its very nature knows no bounds other than that of the human imagination, and the human imagination has, time and again, shown itself to be all but without limit. And yet, all around us we see silly, arbitrary and draconian rules being imposed upon all forms of art. The global economic crisis, a Great Recession that shows no sign of alleviating, has deepened this imposition. We see lines drawn between who can and cant enjoy music and film, as the ongoing controversy over peer-topeer file-sharing reveals. Community arts centers are shut down. Public libraries and museums--where they even still exist!--are under attack, cutting whole segments of the working and poor population off from their right to art and culture. Arts and music teachers are often the first laid off in public schools. And in art itself, the drive of our profit-based system isnt toward the greatest heights of human creativity, but down into the lowest common denominator. Debates about what is good or bad are shaped by the needs of the market rather than honest, democratic discussion. Truly daring artists struggle to find an audience in favor of the slick, the sanitized, the easily commodified. Looking at all of this it would be easy to be discouraged, to throw in the towel on the art that makes us most human. All is not lost, however. The strikes and rebellions across Europe, the revolutions of the Arab Spring, the emergence of the Occupy movement and other uprisings for economic democracy and social justice, have all given rise to new, vital and insurgent forms of art. It can be seen in the emergence of Occupy artists, heard in the hip-hop lyrics that rose with such ferocious hope from Tahrir Square. It can be felt in the dance of a demonstration, the rhythm and rhyme of revolt. Bottom-up, radical forms of art are being forged every day by a global generation who rightly believe that this world belongs to us. Red Wedge Magazine exists to bring attention to these new forms and artists. We are revolutionary Marxists who believe wholeheartedly in the power of art and that such power can only be truly unleashed by a society of genuine liberation. We aim to analyze all forms of art from a socialist perspective, understanding that at its best, it is the expression of a human condition unfettered by exploitation and oppression. We seek to learn from radical arts movements of the past that have been lost to history or twisted to suit the needs of the powers that be. Above all, we are for total and complete human emancipation, and hope to put forth a vision of such a society where artistic expression is available to all, and where each and every person might reach the apex of their creative potential. All power to the imagination! The independence of art for the revolution! The revolution for the complete liberation of art!

Statement of Purpose
1. Political perspective Red Wedge magazine is a publication written & edited by revolutionary Marxist activists, artists and cultural workers. We believe a fundamentally more equitable & just world--a socialist world--is possible, & that working & oppressed people are capable of winning this world. Art & culture have always been intimately tied with the political & economic realities of our time, both good & bad. Red Wedge seeks to examine this connection. The political viewpoint espoused herein is one of solidarity, internationalism, feminism, sexual liberation, antiracism & workers self-emancipation. 2. Framework & analytic tendency Under capitalism, a system where profit is king, art serves the purpose of commodity. Painting & sculpture, music & dance, poetry & literature, film & drama--all are subject to considerations of marketability. This has an effect on both content & aesthetics: the segregation of creativity into high art & low art, the crude tendency for it to be used for purposes of propaganda & advertising, the manipulation of previously rebellious genres & mediums into sanitized versions of themselves. We seek to point out not only the deficiencies in the production of culture under capitalism, but also to illustrate how the system creates an artistic counterpart to its own gravediggers. Our goal is to construct a medium to through which activists & revolutionary socialists in of the 21st Century can experience, participate in, & understand art. We strive toward tenable criticism & artistic participation in the tradition of Leon Trotsky, Bertolt Brecht, Isadora Duncan, Walter Benjamin, Jon Berger & other inspiring artists and theorists. 3. Structure & protocols Red Wedge is run by an editorial board, but anyone & everyone are encouraged to contribute. We consider submissions from anyone on the revolutionary left who has something to say about art & culture in a sharp, concise, materially relevant way. Though it may go without saying, we will not consider anything that is in any way sexist, racist, homophobic or generally chauvinistic. All article submissions can be sent to red.wedge.magazine@gmail.com. Submissions should be included in the body of the email. Please let us know if

this piece has been previously published in another magazine, newspaper, or website. 4. What We Publish --Feature articles! Pieces of a theoretical or historical nature, examining current or past currents in art. They may be profiles of historically important radical artists or simply analysis of an artists work through a radical viewpoint. Or, they may look at trends currently developing from that same perspective. Interviews & profiles of artists working in the here & now are also definitely welcome for our features section. We also welcome: Reviews & Commentary! Video & Audio! Poetry & Imagery! 5. Why we need a revolutionary artistic alternative Theories mean nothing if they arent put into practice, & its in this spirit that Red Wedge exists. We hope to be a part of forging a strategy enabling activists & revolutionaries to better relate to art & organize artists into the struggle for a fundamentally different world. This means bringing a holistic & organic approach to arts & culture--an approach thoroughly steeped in Marxism. Our side is not strengthened by trying to fit art into the box of good politics or bad politics, or by trying to defend a piece of art politically just because we like it aesthetically nor attacking the aesthetic because we disagree with the politics. Art and politics may intersect, but they are two distinct entities. Having an activist orientation of art means bringing subtlety to it. An effective revolutionary artistic alternative must work as art first and foremost. This understanding & analysis of art is necessary to a developed & nuanced approach to culture & cultural criticism. If we as leftists hope to meaningfully participate in the culture of our epoch we must learn how to relate to the cultural products of that epoch. To paraphrase Leon Trotsky: one cannot be both politically adept & culturally insouciant both at once and at the same time. Thus, a practical cohesive approach to art as well as politics is necessary for the socialist activist of today. We hope to build a network of cultural workers, critics & artists that will not only contribute to this process, but also support tours, local events, & cultural activities as well as reach out to existing political & cultural organizations in support of a given cause. Red Wedge seeks to contribute to an analytic framework but also to participate in community and grassroots causes where that framework may be effectively applied.