An Artist’s Life Manifesto

An Artist’s Conduct in His Life:

An artist should not lie to himself or others
An artist should not steal ideas from other artists
An artist should not compromise for himself or in regards to the art market
An artist should not kill other human beings
An artist should not make himself into an idol…
An artist should avoid falling in love with another artist

An Artist’s Relation to Silence:

An artist has to understand silence
An artist has to create a space for silence to enter his work
Silence is like an island in the middle of a turbulent ocean

An Artist’s Relation to Solitude:

An artist must make time for the long periods of solitude
Solitude is extremely important
Away from home, Away from the studio, Away from family, Away from friends
An artist should stay for long periods of time at waterfalls
An artist should stay for long periods of time at exploding volcanoes
An artist should stay for long periods of time looking at fast-running rivers
An artist should stay for long periods of time looking at the horizon where the ocean and sky meet
An artist should stay for long periods of time looking at the stars in the night sky

Marina Abramović, “Walk Through Walls” p. 308