Manifesto
History of Cryptism.____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cryptism was founded in January 2010 in Scotland by Omar Zingaro Macintosh Bhatia and Richard D. D. Cormack and is believed to be the first art movement of the so called '10's'. Omar and Richard attended the same school of art (Dundee) and graduated simultaneously in Art, Philosophy and Contemporary practices. Crypticism is a direct rebellion against the academia they so nearly succumbed to.
Cryptism is (but not always):_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ill defined,
Mischievous,
Rebellious,
Irreverent,
Messy (at times),
Throwback,
Human,
Darker (rather than lighter),
Confessional,
Intriguing,
Mysterious,
Visionary,
Sentimental.
Cryptism is not:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cold,
Inhuman,
Twee,
Cute,
Insincere,
White cube,
Charlatanist,
Minimal,
Conventional,
Modern (in some respects),
Geometric.
Key Ideas._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
- The fundemental feature of the Cryptist artist is that they need not give reasons or meanings to his or her work. i.e Artwork is not defined by contextual writing or previous schools of thought whilst simultaneously rejecting the nihilism of post-modernism. "We know not what we do." Cryptism takes into account the mysterious nature of creation and celebrates it.
- As with the YBA's (Young British Artists), Crypism is not defined by current geographic location or 'art-scene', but rather where one has been and what one has experienced. Emphasis on travel (not necessarily physical).
- Artistic skill is embraced but not in the neo-classicist or stuckist sense.
- Knowledge of pre-existing art movements is not essential (though it is better to know ones enemy).
- Cryptism is contradictory in as much as it aims to defy definition which is a definition in itself.
- An emphasis on the persona of the artist as bohemian rather than modernist (you may still use phones and internet!). Crytpic artists actively promote the practice of travelling with ones wares carried in either briefcases or suitcases. The artists appearance is an important factor in contributing to public persona and the way in which he is perceived by fellow artists, critics and press.
- Cryptism can be commercial and sales are viewed as an act of heroicism. The act of selling a work of art is deemed an art form unto itself and is to be appreciated by the Cryptic artist. Monies earned are invested back into our practices, into travelling/living costs and to hedonistic ends.
- Cryptism rejects and holds minimal, substanceless, contemporary art in disdain and will be publicly vocal about such feelings.
- Crytism flirts with the artistic application of 'The Dark Triad' i.e Narcissism, Psychopathy, and Machiavellianism.
- Cryptic artists are not elitist but will (inevitably) voice opinions about other art movements whether dead or alive that could be construed as malicious.
- The Cryptics will fight to the death!
If you think you might belong to The Cryptics movement and would like to be formally accepted by the founders then get in touch with either Mr. Omar Z M Bhatia or Mr. Rich D D Cormack.
R: r.d.d.cormack@gmail.com (Vice Chairman)
O: zingaromar@gmail.com (Director)
