The Artists’ Statement Roundtable-Manifesto List of members
INFO Artists about ISA Open Letter to Kofi Annan
The ISA Manifesto, background
history (by Roy Lawaetz)
The
International Society of Artists (ISA) was founded in 2004 as a non-profit
organization in
Jakovlev’s initial statement about the condition of artist’s was a familiar one, a
sentiment that artists from all over the world could relate to in their own
studios and exhibition history. How does an artist relate to the art market
without fully conceding his or her rights to a fair participation between the
artist producer and the seller gallerist/dealer?
There is probably not an artist alive who has not experienced an unscrupulous gallerist or dealer amongst the more legitimate ones. Each
artist seems to have at least one sorrowful tale of having been duped or having
been taken advantage of by those who take advantage of an artist’s talent or in
some cases literally and physically stealing art works.
When Jakovlev announced his vision at the 4th Edition
of the Florence Biennale in 2003 it wasn’t too difficult for him to persuade
artists an organization such as ISA was needed. He succeeded in acquiring over
200 signatories from around the globe. He asked these artists to join him in a
movement to change the existing circumstances that artists must face once they
leave their studios and engage themselves in the hard core commercial world.
While the
rights of certain ethnic groups, workers and the feminine sex have advanced
over the evolvement of human history the artist’s plight has remained pretty
much the same. There seems to be no organization to champion the artist.
Amnesty International exists to advocate human rights. Labor unions try to
protect their workers. The NAACP fights for the dignity of black Americans. The
UN exists to foster the peaceful existence of nations. Artists against piracy
try to protect the music industry.
One of the
things Jakovlev feels artists have to do is to change
things as they currently exist in the art world, one which is often a surreal
equation with shifting mirrors, sleight of hand advantages in favor of gallery
owners and dealers.
Is Jakovlev living in a fantasy world of his
own? To have a dream and to attempt to correct a need is to be ahead of your
time in almost every case from an historical perspective. Gandhi’s hunger
strike created a new vision of peaceful protest. Rosa Park’s refusal to sit in
the back of a segregated bus sparked a new consciousness and revolt amongst downtrodden
black people. But as far as artists are
concerned this central idea of the ISA is way overdue. What are global artists
doing to help themselves and to change things? The
ISA Manifesto is a first step.
ISA ROUNDTABLE
MANIFESTO
By Roy Lawaetz
International Society of Artists
Org.nr.802416-6574
Table
of Contents
General 3 points
Grievances 4 points
Vigilance 2
points
Evaluation & Praise 4 points
Networking 3 points
Round table
6 points
Dialogue 3 points
Diversity 4 points
Patron 3 points
General
Recognition
and acknowledgment
1.
That visual artists are recognized for their cultural worth to
society.
That visual
artists will share,
communicate and promote the existence of their own experience in a communal
spirit of generosity.
That visual
artists will utilize
and explore to the maximum all the technological devices available in a modern
society to protect and promote their unique importance and existence as a
specialized group for mutual benefit.
That visual
artists will extend
their range of influence, support and solidarity to other artists of diverse
cultures in a stronger universal bond.
World
Headquarters
2.
That the country of
ISA is
an international not for profit organization which is registered in
Worldwide
networking dialogue
3.
That the ISA Roundtable Manifesto should be
perceived as dialogue for a growing movement with networks across the globe
with a voracious appetite for the organization’s growth to inspire change in
art markets.
That visual
artists will awaken
from a silent and stagnant dialogue to a highlighted and engaged discussion on
their present and future status.
Grievances
Unfair
practices declaration
1.
And that we proclaim that any infringement against artists’ work by
unfair practices whether it be in galleries, museums or otherwise be considered
a serious affront to the cultural development of said society.
2.
Unfair
practices exposed to public
And that any unfair practices that exist to
artists be dealt with in solidarity and
should be exposed to the world.
3.
That artist will network, disseminate and exchange not only sentiments
of common unity in general whether by blogs,
websites, newspapers, radio, television and consumer media or artist’s
publications and website organizations
such as STOP ART FRAUD and ARTWATCHDOG.
4.
And in some cases will challenge, expose and prosecute if deemed
necessary those individuals, organizations, businesses etc. who disrespect and perform illegal acts against them.
Vigilance
Raise the
bar in ethical and best practices
1.
That artists will become more vigilant and exert careful
scrutiny in the performance and duties promised to themselves and fellow
artists, as well as becoming more energetic in securing the proper contractual
arrangements etc. in exhibition venues.
2.
That artist’s will recognize that it is not only their studio work that
has value but also their own human commitment to the preservation and dignity
of their art works.
Evaluation
& Praise
Implementation of Survey
and Evaluation processes
1.
That the global response of artist community evolvement (G.R.A.C.E.) should create a system of evaluation for galleries, museums and
exhibition venues not unlike the way hotels, restaurants or certain businesses
are rated for excellence or sub standard practices.
2.
That this system of evaluation should be made available in a yearly
publication or online website for the general information of artists,
collectors and artist friends.
Encourage
national ISA Centres
3.
That ISA will network with visual artists in other countries to
encourage/create national ISA centres.
Strategic
planning
4.
That artists will develop and promote new and effective
strategies not yet fully exercised in order to guarantee their rightful and
contributory role in societies.
Networking
Disseminating
information
1.
That ISA members will assist and
be helpful to one another in networking projects; providing and disseminating information about
exhibition opportunities and physical spaces in respective countries whenever
possible in order to ensure a complete global feed on what is current to the
other ISA member artists;
2.
That member
artists will strive
to cooperate with the ISA headquarters in
Submit information regarding availability of
grant funding for artistic programs exhibitions etc. and to act accordingly
towards accessing funds and pertinent information available to qualified
artists
Develop
strategic alliances
3. That ISA
members will seek to
establish strong ties, affiliations and allies with important, influential and
ethical organizations, museums, galleries for the mutual benefit of its
membership.
Round table
1.
That the ISA Round table Manifesto be a continuing driving force, a wake
up signal between artists to unify and improve existing art conditions around
the globe.
2.
That the ISA Round table discussion be open for dialogue amongst all the
membership artists, excluding no one’s opinions no matter how revolutionary or
radical within the acceptable rules of genteel and constructive discussion.
3.
That the ISA membership seek out its own short & long term project
initiatives such as publications, websites, newsletters, blogs
etc.
4.
That the ISA Round table Manifesto discussion be eventually formatted in
an ID User format on the internet for availability of dialogue and global
connectivity for membership users.
5.
That the ISA organization plan for future art conventions in locations
such as the Florence Biennale where global artists can convene and discuss their
role in a changing society.
6.
That the ISA organization’s goals
is to create public awareness, appreciation and understanding of the value of
art and to educate both the artistic community and the public about
intellectual property and copyright issues
as these issues pertain to art on the internet.
DIALOGUE
Special Features
for Dialogue
1.
That dialogue may also include and express the artist’s own
emotional feelings, anxieties, misgivings about society, current political scene, or
personal emotional states.
2.
That dialogue can also extend to expression in poetry, diary
excerpts,
philosophies, art discoveries, techniques, new media etc.
3. That dialogue is not
restricted to the limitations of the Manifesto
and
that new ideas, concepts, input, are invited outside the scope
of
the ongoing Round table Manifesto discussion.
DIVERSITY
Different artists working
1.
That ISA members recognize that each diverse artist is like a musician
in a
Grand
Symphony Orchestra---each with his or her instrument of high carat.
2.
That each artist experiences the world differently thus manifesting his
or her creative path in a unique way.
3.
That each artist is generally responsible for “Product Placement” but artists movements have always aspired to establish and
organize their own group exhibits.
4.
That the international character of ISA should define delegates or
representatives in each specific country working towards a common goa
ISA Patron
1. That in order for ISA to realize its ambitious global agenda it will
by necessity
need
the resources and assistance of a major financial patron.
2. And that one of the roles of
ISA collectivist activity should be to
attract the
support of such a patron.
3. And that this authority and position of
such an ISA patron be an honourable and art historical benchmark with ethical and
civilized attitudes towards global artists.
ISA MEMBERS COMMUNICATE TO US
OUR ADDITIONAL IDEAS, PROGRAM GOALS,
etc for consideration into the umbrella document to be presented at the 2007
Florence Biennale by Sergej
Jakovlev, Roy Lawaetz and by other members of the Society attending
the Biennale on behalf of all the members.
Based
on submission creative entries from Shabaz
Ideals, visions, dreams
1. That the ISA Round table Manifesto has need
for workers but also dreamers
for as James Allen wrote in a ”As a man thinketh” “The world
is beautiful because they have lived.”
2. That the ISA Round table Manifesto seeks to
cherish the ideals of artists
no
matter how diverse, as no one is unfit to participate.
3. That the ISA vision is a lofty ideal
committed for the betterment of artists.
Some ISA Members who have already
communicated to us on the Roundtable Manifesto are: Alan Falk, Bridget Busutil,
Shirley Erskine, Michael Ashkenasi,
Don Ricker, Ingrid & the Webists, Gerald Boone, Nikolay Gilov, Carol Reeves among
others.
New ISA members who have already submitted
positive membership feedback/ and or corrective input on the Roundtable
Manifesto are: PJ Bruyniks, Norma Krieger, Sietze Groenewold, Lori Landis,
Tony Romano, Marlies Najaka,
Sylvia lo a Noe, etc.
The Artists’ Statement Roundtable-Manifesto List of members
INFO Artists about ISA Open Letter to Kofi Annan