The immersive 13-screen film installation Manifesto by German artist and filmmaker Julian Rosefeldt pays homage to the moving tradition and literary beauty of artist manifestos, ultimately questioning the role of the artist in society today.
Manifesto draws on the writings of Futurists, Dadaists, Fluxus artists, Suprematists, Situationists, Dogma 95 and other artist groups, and the musings of individual artists, architects, dancers and filmmakers. Passing the ideas of Claes Oldenburg, Yvonne Rainer, Kazimir Malevich, André Breton, Sturtevant, Sol LeWitt, Jim Jarmusch, and other influencers through his lens, Julian Rosefeldt has edited and reassembled thirteen collages of artists’ manifestos.
Performing this 'manifesto of manifestos' as a contemporary call to action, while inhabiting thirteen different personas, Australian actor Cate Blanchett imbues new dramatic life into both famous and lesser known words in unexpected contexts.
The New Zealand premiere of the exhibition Manifesto by Julian Rosefeldt is presented by Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and Auckland Arts Festival.