Manifesto for inspiration.

What is a manifesto? It’s a word that you go across frequently whether you read in books or newspapers, hear in the news, or even during senior project class. At first it might seem understandable, but I guess understandable within the context of the dialogue, not when you

have to come up with one, or even just as simple as defining it. It might take more than searching

for the meaning in dictionaries or looking at few manifesto samples to comprehend its sense. Is it a statement? is it a question? or a theory? maybe an experiment of some sort? or just a previous experience? could it be a little of everything? In definition, most of the dictionaries mention the phrase verbal declaration and/or written statement, so which is it? Going back to the source of the word, manifesto is derived from the Latin word manifestum which means Clear. In Arabic, it means many things; public statement, embodiment, apparition, demonstration and many more. Between words as clear, embodiment, statement, declaration, articulation, revelation... other topics may arise in mind; politics, conflict, revolution, and opposition. Interesting huh!? what does it have to do with art or design? If we look up manifestation as a word, it means “an event, action, or object that clearly shows or embodies something abstract or theoretical.”Further research conveys the word communique = communication. Embodiment and communication. So, it is about communicating an idea, belief, opinion, or intention that you embody as a person, whether you declare it or act towards it. When it is documented, it is a manifesto. The Declaration of Independence is a manifesto, the vision and mission of an institution is a manifesto, the principles and guidelines you set for raising your children is a manifesto, etc… It is a way to focus your priorities, goals, and maybe methods towards a certain topic or vision. About a century ago, the following started as a vision, yet still continues to feed the young minds of artists today and perhaps aided in their existence: “Let us then create a new guild of craftsmen without the class distinctions that raise an arrogant barrier between craftsman and artist! Together let us desire, conceive, and create the new structure of the future, which will embrace architecture and sculpture and painting in one unity and which will one day rise toward heaven from the hands of a million workers like the crystalsymbol of a new faith.” Walter Gropius, 1919 Excerpt from Bauhaus Manifesto

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