DA !: Manifesto according to Simon

ABOUT‎ > ‎

Manifesto according to Simon

Introduction

DA! is an association which squats empty buildings in central London and make cultural soup within.

This manifesto has been written so that you can contribute to and be rewarded by DA!

This manifesto will be improved upon through experience.

Why

The objective of DA! is to give us, the Artists a place to communicate our art. The word ‘Artists’ is used in it’s broadest sense; all art forms are welcome, visual arts, theatre, live music, film, poetry, etc.

What

DA! is an ongoing series of exhibitions and events in unused commercial buildings in central London.

Each place brings together an ever increasing combination of artists and visitors.

The direct action approach of squatting these spaces leads to several benefits:

It is an immediate transformation turning an unused waste of space into a cultural hub.
It negates protracted, and often futile negotiations with owners.
It acts as a publicity stunt, giving rise to media coverage which attracts visitors and more artists.
It appeals to highly motivated and dedicated people whose nature is to act.

Squatting is not a protest at the waste of valuable space, it is a solution, albeit a short-term one.

DA! has grown over the past years, becoming more and more well known, building a reputation of making positive use of wasted space. However it is still early days; maintaining and building this reputation is vital to DA!s future success. The transition from squatting to more legitimate ways of communicating our Artz is perhaps inevitable. It is a phenomon which has occured in many previous instances around Europe in the past. For example; Chez Robert in Paris, Kunsthaus Tacheles in Berlin and Space Studios in London. Often it is with the intervention of local government or the Mayor that a transition is made.

Who

The objective is ‘to give us, the Artists, a place to communicate our art’ We draw on our talents as artists and our individual skills as people to cooperate, organise and communicate our art so that others may enjoy it. No single one of us possesses all the skills needed, but as long as we cooperate, I am sure we will find amidst us all that we require.

Around us we build not a physical enclosure, but a community, a name, and a reputation which we can use to grow as individuals.

Visitors visit us, not to be sold to, but to appreciate. Artists need visitors, visitors need artists.

In the long term, manifestations may be brought about in conjunction with the owners of empty buildings. The owners donating temporary use of their buildings as in-kind sponsorship. Furthermore, the employees of such companies will be welcome to indulge their creative talents within the manifestation. The company will be seen as benevolent, directly supportive of culture, a company with a creative work force. As DA! as a whole develops this stage will be encountered.

Where

Manifestations take place in central London.

When

Manifestations take place on a regular basis, at least once every three months. DA! is not tied to a physical location, it is therefore extremely important that a sense of continuation is achieved through time.

How

DA! is a smart mob. The DA! phone has the names and mobile numbers of hundreds of people and empty buildings in it. If you would like access to be included in this address book, text the DA! phone on 0753 207 2087.

Conclusion

As stated in the introduction, I have written this plan so that others may participate, and help to improve upon it through experience.

To get it to the state it is in now has taken me quite some time; it has exploded to many thousands of words, which I have reduced down to what you have just read.