Rewriting the Manifesto

I am an Art lover. I often go into galleries with my friends who aren’t really interested. But I love culture and I totally agree with you, Vivienne, that you really do get out what you put in, and whenever I’m in London the National Gallery is one of my absolute favourite places to go. So much time and love and passion put into such amazing pieces of art simply makes my day.

This manifesto sounds like it is going to be amazing. I look forward to the rest!

Comment by James Emmett on 27/11/2010 at 10:03 pm

Hi Vivienne
I am a person that since I was little I had curiosity about the world and my Art experience started inside of my sisters books and I had a dreaming of to see them all in front of me in real size.
When I 20 I left my city around Sao Paulo and travelled to South of Spain and after Paris and London I couldn’t have enough of all the museums around. I just loved so much and I remember the emotion of going to Tate and be in front of Salvador Dali’s painting “Vanity” and observing all the details. I tough artists can hold the key of the universe and they speak in different “lingua”: surrealism, expressionism, abstractionism , futurism …
I wish all the best in your journey to finish your beautiful Manifest
Love
Dalva

Comment by Dalva James on 28/11/2010 at 1:16 am

I appreciate your enthusiasm but I think you should look at paintings from other periods to discover who the great artists really are. Remember, there is no progress in art – great art is timeless!

Comment by Vivienne on 29/11/2010 at 11:07 am

I appreciate the light you are shining on becoming an art lover not just a consumer. But as a world wide known designer, how is one to compete with the elitist societies that control the world with propaganda and controlled media outlets? They decide how the world will be viewed while artists capture the actual world and the history it is creating.

I do agree that you get out what you put in, but how do we get people to wake up to see the world as it really is and not the image they think it is before it’s too late.

Comment by Jessica on 29/11/2010 at 11:42 pm

First I want to say something about the word ‘elite’. It has the same root as the word ‘elect’. The true meaning is of a group of people at the top of a hierarchy who were elected, e.g. the elders of a tribe or worthy enough to be elected because of their wisdom, e.g.an intellectual elite (they get out what they put in).
The word has now been highjacked by people who are privileged in any way, not people who are wise and help society, but quite the opposite – ignorant and/or ruthless.
You have obviously read the manifesto as far as it goes. You really got the point and I am so pleased.
The answer to your last point is of course to realize that art is the greatest teacher. Artists and intellectuals have abdicated their responsibility to tell the truth – they just follow and want to be popular. So not many people are thinking (this will be mentioned in the still-to-be-completed part of the manifesto). However there is no progress in art, so we can still be judges of previous timeless works of genius and maybe this will produce new art. You can certainly change your own life. Great art can never be popular but it is important that some people start to think. They will influence others.
Please keep in touch ……If you haven’t already, do have a look at what some students have written to me about their visit to the Wallace Collection. link

Comment by Vivienne on 30/11/2010 at 2:38 pm

Thought for the day Hegel’s Philosophy of right:

120, Paragraph 189.
” There are certain universal needs such as food, drink, clothing, &c., and it depends entirely on accidental circumstances how these are satisfied. The fertility of soil varies from place to place, harvests vary from year to year, one man is industrious, another indolent. But this medley of arbitrariness generates universal characteristics by its own working; and this apparently scattered and thoughtless sphere is upheld by necessity which automatically enters it. To discover this necessary element here is the object of political economy, a science which is a credit to thought because it finds laws for a mass of accidents.
It is an interesting spectacle here to see all chains of activity leading back to the same point; particular spheres of action fall into groups, influence others, and are helped or hindered by others. The most remarkable thing here is this mutual interlocking of particulars, which is what one would least expect because at first sight everything seems to be given over to the arbitrariness of individual, and it has a parallel in the solar system which displays to the eye only irregular movements, though it laws may none the less be ascertained.”
Have a nice day

Comment by Dalva James on 02/12/2010 at 10:30 am

It would be better if you could tell me in your own words what you took from the quotation from Hegel. What does it mean to you?

Comment by Vivienne on 02/12/2010 at 3:16 pm

Sorry about my ignorance it is difficult for me to write in English, at moment I am pushing myself to read more and trying to write better.

It is wonderful to interact with someone special as you are.
What I describe to you was just a little bit of impression from 1986 and one moment. Off course I went to National Gallery and other Galleries and Museums and I did look at timeless paintings that I had before learned about in History of Art when I was doing Architecture and Town Planning.
“The Chaos Point” is how to call for people to change and help in action to change the face of the world?
We can’t say: If they don’t have bread they can eat “brioches”
I have hope and I believe that is very import to support your work to persuading people to think and change and I wish the BEST for you to rewriting The Manifesto.

Comment by Dalva James on 03/12/2010 at 5:55 am

Whenever you really get interested in something, a great painting or sculpture, try to think how the artist saw the world. Put that thought into your head – it’s the only way to really understand art. If you would like an AR badge let me know where to send it

Comment by Vivienne on 12/12/2010 at 9:26 pm

After also reading the comments left i think i understand your point, i find it hard to get people to just open their eyes and understand whats happening around them in the world how much they don’t realise that it is or will affect them, which might explain why i love art so much because its my chance to express my self, from time to time i do go to art galleries but i wouldn’t say its a regular thing. It’s the same with fashion designers i don’t look at endless cat walks and know about all the designers i feel that restricts my imagination for when i’m designing and instead my work becomes a copy cat of theres if it is. There is so much much imagination in just the world, i don’t know maybe im wrong because i seem to be the only fashion student who doesn’t admire curtain designers constantly and as for art it should only be inflenced by the world full stop.

Comment by Ledia on 03/12/2010 at 2:12 pm

When we look back at great art we can see that it occurred when people were apprenticed to artists in their studios. It was only at a certain point that theories and schools developed. Great painters learned through these apprenticeships – they learned through practice. Of course they were copying – it’s the only way to learn. Nobody has ever learnt without it. In my work, I have always copied historical things directly. Remember, there is no progress in art – this is a modern misconception.

Comment by Vivienne on 12/12/2010 at 9:24 pm

i agree. art is incredible.
if you see the sistine chapel´s ceiling, you get an idea of what one human being is able to do.

Comment by Jean on 09/12/2010 at 11:07 am

thanks a lot!
i will keep your advice in mind. i’m visiting barcelona next year and i’ll make a trip to several galleries too. last week, i went to a museum in cologne and i felt that your post changed my examination behaviour quite a lot. i felt so active and connected to the works. thanks for that great experience!

i would love to get an active resistance badge, but where should i post my adress?

Comment by Jean on 15/12/2010 at 6:04 pm

Please post your address to info@viviennewestwood.co.uk

Comment by Vivienne on 15/12/2010 at 9:38 pm

Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!

Comment by pell grant on 19/12/2010 at 11:27 pm

I was lucky enough to have been to a manifesto reading at the London Transport Museum quite a while ago. I believe that the most important thing to do is to ensure you put it into practice. For me the concept is so simple yet so few feel the need to experience thing like The Wallace Collection. I am 21 years old, when I was young nor me or my siblings were left to watch television on a Saturday. I was always taken to a museum or gallery by my Grandmother.
I know know that these experiences were priceless and I continue to visit the same places and the same pieces of work to this day. For me London is one of the greatest cities of culture in the world, we are so lucky to have all these amazing enriching experiences on our doorstep and the majority of them for free. We have the amenities at our disposal but its such a shame so few choose to experience them.

Comment by Chester on 22/12/2010 at 2:15 pm

I used to live a full and busy life juggling 2 jobs and my own small business as a therapist doing my best to put into the world. Years of seeing human suffering then ill physical health then lead to severe depression. For the last year everything has felt pointless…what can one person do to change the world. My interest in your clothes led to me coming across your manifesto. Your idea’s and quotes struck me that somebody out there is actually talking and making sense…your idea’s about the world have been inspirational and some of the small comments you make particularly about non stop distractions have helped understand why i’ve got into this mess in the first place..my aim has always been to understand the world we live in however in alot of the suffering i’ve seen in others one can lose faith in the world. I’ve locked myself away from it from months but your right and reading this my starting point may be ‘you get out what you put in’. I remember when I had the luxury of time before my life was so hectic and the excitement of visiting galleries, particularly Dali museum and the Tate modern…I even enjoyed just watching the building and being fascinated by the enormity of it and all it had represented before it became a gallery…Thank you for your inspiration…months of medical intervention and medication has done little other than perhaps make things worse…I think a visit to a gallery may just be better than what my consultants order.

Comment by VICTORIA on 07/02/2011 at 5:41 am

Dear Victoria
Thank you for reading the Manifesto. In it, I talk of “knowledge of life through an artist’s knowledge of life” and there is the idea of art as a series of windows on past worlds which link to our present because we share a common humanity. Art can convey direct knowledge, a feeling of “I was there, this is the truth”.
An artist has no responsibility but to tell the truth.
Today’s self-styled artists can’t tell the truth because they are self-deceivers. They are academics who have been taught presentation skills and measure themselves by success. And all the True Poet says in the Manifesto – we’ve seen it 17 times before.
Dali belongs in this group. His work is eye-catching and he is a self-made curiosity. But his work pretends to be secret and profound but it is simply superficial. There is nothing to relate to and nothing to discover. (I have no interest to talk about Surrealism – it’s just not an idea, a non-starter.)
It takes time to empathise with great art (comparing, discriminating). When you can say, “This is the truth”, you know you have found it. You get out what you put in: the more you put in, the more you get out.
Remember, there is no progress in art. I would start with the 17th century Dutch realists. They are quite revolutionary. Get a book – it’s good to know the history of the time in which they were created. I recommend Dutch Painting in the Seventeenth Century, by Madlyn Millner Khar – it’s written in a way that is very accessible, something you can really get your teeth into. Another book about the period is Dutch Painting 1600 – 1800, by Seymour Slive.
They can be expensive – around £30 – but do take advantage of the LIBRARY. If they don’t have a book, they can order it for you.
Vivienne

Comment by Vivienne on 16/03/2011 at 5:29 pm

Hi Vivienne

Everything changed, for me, the day (I was nearly 40) I saw Picasso’s “Death’s head”.

Why? It was the first time I’d ever ‘seen’, profoundly, behind an artists image.

How did it change? I went to university, drew my first picture (a pear!), wrote my first poem (You signed my name behind my back), took pictures of nature on my iPhone, thought about religion, considered what I’d really learn’t and became convinced that the evidence suggests humans are actually motivated by love and peace.

What I consider I’ve learn’t about life, that is of some practical use, at least to me…..

1. Try to be of benefit to others, or at least do them no harm.
2. Seek out the dissenting arguments.

What simple, practical things have you learn’t about life, that you’d pass on to people?

P x 😉

Comment by Paul on 19/02/2011 at 3:04 pm

Dear Paul
It’s all in the Manifesto. The motto is: ‘You get out what you put in”.
1. I’ve always thought to be of benefit to others is to have ideas to communicate. I have no religious belief and consider it my duty to understand our world. Reading and the love of art give me perspective and ideas.
In pagan times, Aristotle asked, “What is the good life?” Today’s answer has to be: to live in harmony with Gaia.
2. Everything I think – or you think – is important (communication of ideas) and affects our actions.
Always fight for something; everything is connected.
Vivienne

Comment by Vivienne on 25/02/2011 at 10:43 am

Dear Vivienne,

I am now in Cairo Egypt and have been here for the last 4 months in love with the people of this country and this country’s culture and of course I have followed with passion the events that shook this place and freed itself from the dictatorship that has been so long supported by the West and its economical interests. I am an artist and also do love fashion, but my love of fashion is often accompanied with obvious mixed feelings because it is contributing so much to another form of dictatorship, that of consumerism and desire, targetting especially young people and their need for identity. Last night I saw a documentary about you which followed a documentary on Karl Lagerfeld. Although the cleverness and hard work of the man cannot be denied, the contrast between the two documentaries, his coldness and your inspired warmth was extraordinary. I was transported by seeing your creative process, you passion for art as a means to serve humanity and not as a ploy to encourage consumerism. Once the political freedom seems to have been reached, there is another oppression that is more insidious and dangerous than the crude dictatorships of thoses mentally deranged heads of states. I am so grateful for your engagement in causes that I also believe are fundamental to the freedom of our mind and consequently for the survival of our species. Gaia will survive with or without us but what an incredible waste not to be able to receive with respect and gratitude the abundance and generosity that It is always ready to give us. I love your Manisfesto. I want to express my gratitude and admiration for you courage, artistic creativity and commitment to the betterment of humanity, which is really the only purpose on this planet, what ever field one choses to express it in
With all my best thoughts and energy

Francois

Comment by Francois Perez on 05/03/2011 at 11:54 am

Dear Vivienne,

Sorry for my english, as I am french. And sixty-six years old, it can be useful for you to know.
I wanted you to know that I put a link to “Get a life” in my site, which is devoted to litterature (only mine !!!). I like very much what you are doing with AR. It’s a work of an artist even if it deals with pure ideas and philosophy and this is rare and original and deserves a bit of advertising. What I mean is that it is something alive, with stories, fairy tales, colours, secret music, and not an abstract dead object as usual. The stupid people will pass by… even laugh, but wise people will stay.
Allow me to send you kisses and my best regards

Jean

Comment by Jean Blanquet on 07/03/2011 at 7:41 pm

Bravo!!!!!!!

Comment by Julie Di Gregorio on 13/03/2011 at 12:25 am

Dear Vivienne

I am sixteen and got alot from your manifesto, I found the idea that life can be seen more clear through art and that we can express ourselves. I mean thats the whole reason most people take routes through art to find self exploration. I would like some advise on how to find myself through my art. I took some of your advise by going to the Wallace collection, what I found there was that art could never be repeated and that each one had so many ideas and huge amounts of inspiration. I think thats the problem with being an artist is finding the inspiration, as thats what sets you off, but how do I find it. Could you recommend some literture or galleries to visit inside London that could inspire me.

P.s. Where could I send my address for a active resistance badge, and also is there any events around that you are attending in London that I could go to and meet you, its my only goal to meet a true creator of beauty

,Adam.

Comment by Adam Sullivan on 23/03/2011 at 1:54 pm

Dear Adam
Thank you for your letter – and for reading the Manifesto. You will find a long response from me in Vivienne’s blog. Please email your address to cynthia@viviennewestwood.co.uk so we can send you your AR badge and the dates for the next Manifesto reading!

Comment by Vivienne on 28/03/2011 at 4:11 pm

Dear Vivienne,

I am also sixteen, and found a out a lot from you manifesto. I believe that fashion is truly a persons greatest weapon in expressing themselves, as people can learn a lot from their first impressions. I find your clothes a huge inspiration, and I especially loved the clothes you designed during the punk era. I was wondering if you have any tips, as I’d love to start working in fashion.

Also, where can I send my adress for an Active Resistance Badge?

Yours,
Charlotte-Rose x

Comment by Charlotte-Rose on 29/03/2011 at 1:48 pm

Dear Charlotte-Rose
Thank you for reading the Manifesto – it’s really great that you’re doing this at such a young age. For your AR badge, please send an email with your postal address to: info@viviennewestwood.co.uk.

Comment by Vivienne on 30/03/2011 at 7:18 pm

Hi Vivienne
I hope you are well, I am here just listining the rain outside and thinking about you and the Manifesto. I am in holiday in Florence and have been a week of breathing Art all around.
The sculptures of Michelangelo are magnificent and the arquiteture of Brunelleschi and Giotto are incredible, and I am speechless about Raphael,Botticelli and Benozzo Gozzoli. The Renaissance brought to us the light of perfection and I can travel to the past and feel what is to believe in a better world for the future.

Thank you for the badges, my daughter Gaia was very happy for your kindness. Thank you for the book(110 Days of Active Resistance), and the opportunity of expression, I am the day 34 with the Organic Love.

Lots of LOVE
Dalva James

Comment by DalvaJames on 25/10/2011 at 9:24 pm

Dear Vivienne (or another art lover),

Around two years ago, metaphorically, I was the perfect example of a sponge. I Wandered around passively, conformed to society’s mainstream norms, and sucked up information without critically considering it. With maturity I began to critically question my sedate acceptance of “truth” and as a result unearthed your active resistance manifesto. I have grown bored of television (a statement hard to express in a culture where it is unfortunately given central importance) and now have an avid passion for reading, art and philanthropy. My thoughts and actions have become more autotelic and active. Despite being called a “tree hugger” I wear a Cool Earth T-shirt with a sense of pride and regularly visit museums etc. I have found your work extremely inspiring and your fashion somewhat liberating, helping me to jump off the “hedonic treadmill”. I would like to take the opportunity to express by thanks!

Are Active Resistance Badges still available? one would be considered an asset to my Leonard Peltier and DARWIN lapel pin 🙂

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