I have been reading a few interesting things on the net that have got me thinking over the past week or two which has eventually led to this blog entry and the concept of ‘Poetic Terrorism’. This started by looking at a book that was put my way called: ‘Temporary Autonomous Zone’ by Hakim Bey.
This is essentially a guide, manual or manifesto for guerilla art and a free thinking way of life. Much of it is wayyyyyyy out there in the category of ‘spaced out’ thinking but there are parts of it that are also very thought provoking.
So just what-the-f*** is the ‘Temporary Autonomous Zone’ and this ‘Poetic Terrorism’ lark I hear you ask???
Poetic Terrorism is the idea of creating an event, a disturbance, a creative disturbance even, that makes people stop and think, then just may make people smile and wonder. This is a brief moment where people have to re-think about something, and perhaps look at things a little differently. This is then the ‘Temporary Autonomous Zone’, the moment when people simple aren’t sure what is going on and autonomous thinking kicks in…
A few quoted suggestions and idea’s from the book to give you an idea of the kind of things we’re talking about here…
- Unauthorized pyrotechnic displays…
- Earth-works as bizarre alien artifacts strewn in State Parks.
- Pick someone at random & convince them they’re the heir to an enormous, useless & amazing fortune, say 5000 square miles of Antarctica, or an ageing circus elephant…
- Bolt up brass commemorative plaques in places (public or private) where you have experienced a revelation or had a particularly fulfilling sexual experience, etc.
You get the idea. Silly… possibly. Mischievous… yes, fun… probably! The first example that sprang to mind of real world Poetic Terrorism or Guerilla Art was flash mobs. The unannounced performance by a crowd of people who assemble unknown to the public, do whatever they have planned and then drift back amongst the public. If you don’t know this is going to happen and are in the middle of it then there must be that first moment of ‘Errrrrr what’s going on here’ followed by realisation and smiles, finally followed by phone calls to tell people and a day that makes you smile.
Here’s an example of an interesting one at Grand Central Station. There have been plenty of others. Another example of Poetic Terrorism would be street art;
A couple of examples from Banksy (and more Banksy here). Great pieces of street art continually appear (generally overnight) in most cites, they are created by unnamed guerilla artists who do it simply because they want to. Banksy is an exception to this rule as he is now a well known artist but I’m using him as an example as I think Banksy’s art (like much good street art) has lots to say when you look at it. The first one here questions the perception of graffiti in a very tongue in cheek way. The other demonstrates the reality that so many of us do swear our allegiance to Tesco’s and so turn our backs on our local ‘real’ shops in a simple and striking way…
Banksy’s works now sell for hundreds of thousands and there has been a call for some to be listed after one was recently whitewashed by mistake. The point here though is that they were originally done illegally and without thought of glory or recognition, in the knowledge that they may be removed the very next day but knowing that they may also make some think or make someone smile.
As Hakim Bey puts it in ‘Temporary Autonomous Zone’;
- The Poetic Terrorist behaves like a confidence-trickster whose aim is not money but change.
- In order to work at all, Poetic Terrorism must categorically be divorced from all conventional structures for art consumption (galleries, publications, media).
- Don’t do Poetic Terrorism for other artists, do it for people who will not realize (at least for a few moments) that what you have done is art.
And his advice on getting away with this kind of activity;
- …don’t stick around to argue, don’t be sentimental; be ruthless, take risks.
- Dress up. Leave a false name. Be legendary. The best Poetic Terrorism is against the law, but don’t get caught. Art as crime; crime as art.
I have to say a bit of me thinks this all sounds like a bloody good idea.
Lots more cool street art here
