I Am For An Art by Claes Oldenberg

I am for an art that is political-erotical-mystical, that does something other than sit on its ass in a museum.

I am for an art that grows up not knowing it is art at all, an art given the chance of having a starting point of zero.

I am for an art that embroils itself with the everyday crap & still comes out on top.

I am for an art that imitates the human, that is comic, if necessary, or violent, or whatever is necessary.

I am for all art that takes its form from the lines of life itself, that twists and extends and accumulates and spits and drips, and is heavy and coarse and blunt and sweet and stupid as life itself.

I am for an artist who vanishes, turning up in a white cap painting signs or hallways.

I am for art that comes out of a chimney like black hair and scatters in the sky.

I am for art that spills out of an old mans purse when he is bounced off a passing fender.

I am for the art out of a doggys mouth, falling five stories from the roof.

I am for the art that a kid licks, after peeling away the wrapper.

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The above poem by the artist Claes Oldenburg inspired the song Manifesto (1979) by Roxy Music. Enjoy.

Manifesto

(Ferry/Manzanera)

I am for a life around the corner

That takes you by surprise

That comes, leaves, all you need

And more besides

I am for a life and time by numbers

Blast in fast 'n' low

Add 'em up, account for luck

You never know

I am into friendship and plain sailing

Through frenzied ports o' call

Oh shake the hand to beat the band

With love is all

Or nothing to the man who wants tomorrow

There's one in every town

A crazy guy, he'd rather die

Than be tied down

I am for the man who drives the hammer

To rock you till the grave

His power drill

Shocks a million miles away

I am for the revolution's coming

I don't know where she's been

For those who dare because it's there

I know I've seen

Now and then I've suffered imperfection

Studied marble flaws

And faces drawn pale and worn

By many tears

I am that I am from out of nowhere

To fight without a cause

Roots strain against the grain

With brute force

Oh you'd better

Hold out when you're in doubt

Question what you see

And when you find an answer

Bring it home to me