THE DISH MANIFESTO

Popular culture is primarily consumer culture and much of what is on the
Internet is -- increasingly -- more of the same commercial dreck already on TV,
radio, in print and all manner of public space. And then there is consumer
apathy, the capitalist legal system, and jerks who thinkeverything can be
packaged and commodified.

So, too, in the arts: commodification is rampant as careerism, the gallery
system, and an art economy based on sales stunt meaningful interaction,
innovation, personal expression, and -- worst of all -- play!

We, the founding and future members of DISH, are dedicated to
non-commercial, non-careerist, NONSENSE of the very best kind. We are
creating a petri-DISH for the ongoing manipulation, discombobulation,
transmogrification and emancipation of popular culture as it is manifested
on the Internet. We are creating a satellite DISH to receive and broadcast
messages that suit our purposes. We are providing a means and process for
artistic collaboration to virally treat the infection of consumerism,
commodification and all things "BLAH." (We hate BLAH.) We are creating a
digital chicken soup of our own making and inviting other chefs to throw
what they like into the pot. We are going to cause a ruckus in the kitchen
and on monitors around the globe, and we are going to have fun doing it.
So there!

You are heartily encouraged to join us here in the DISH and by any means
possible in the war of culture. We urge you to commandeer, shape, and
influence popular culture as it exists on and off the Internet, and to join
us in altering it to represent your non-commercial interests.

The almighty and powerful DISH has spoken. Long live the DISH!



NOTE: All material strictly subversive, for widest possible diffusion and
distribution. No copyright is meant, implied, or bothered with.
Manipulation, duplication, emancipation, transmogrification,
discombobulation, or recreation of content found here is highly
encouraged.


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MORE RANTINGS AND HOW-TO DISH IT OUT!

The digital age has more to offer than robotic pets and onlineshopping.
It
has created unprecedented ways to get new ideas to mass audienceswith a
power greater than that of the corporate-controlled media. Newtechnology
also makes the generation of new content so much easier thatthere is no
reason why it can't be fun, especially if done by a group ofspontaneously
collaborating people. What we are suggesting is simple: artistscan pool
resources, have fun together, and create real alternatives forpublic
consciousness a new channel.

This new channel exists through the promiscuity of email. Thefact that
people can spawn multiple copies of a message and send it tomultiple
recipients, who can in turn do the same, creates the possibilitiyfor an
exponential, epidemic-like spread of content--if the content resonates with
those who receive it. This is where the fun and collaborationcome in:
creating a petri DISH of ideas and outputs, some of which willpropagate out
of control within the group and be unleashed via the Internet.

The approach is the antithesis of capitalism. No money changeshands. It
lies outside the grip of the legal system, opening up the use ofall sorts
of copyrighted material. No court injunction or lawsuit can stopa good
culture virus once it has been released; these can only helpspread it by
providing publicity.

Participating artists will learn how to use new technology, shareknow-how
and creative resources with artists in the U.S. and abroad, andhave an
opportunity to reach millions of people with their work. Mostimportantly,
they will have the satisfaction of having created content thatpotentially
touches the world and shapes it in amusing, non-commercial ways.

Capitalism and technology tend to isolate people and artists, andkeep them
from realizing what is possible when like-minded people bandtogether. But
it doesn't have to be that way. Technology can help to bringpeople together
and give them a new way to create a better, more personallysatisfying, and
FUN world.

So let's do it NOW!

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RECIPE #1: MOTHER'S HOMEMADE DIGITAL INFECTION OF PUBLICCONSCIOUSNESS

Here's a recipe for collaboration and expression that's so simpleand
effective, you might want to try it at home.

1. Throw a series of parties. Invite interested people (a.k.a.,"artists").
Have them bring materials in many media. Digitize the material.
Modify/tweak/combine/recontextualize the material simultaneouslyand
collaboratively. Have fun creating new meanings and new visionsof the
world!

2. Skim off resulting "culture viruses." Release theminto the public
consciousness in highly communicable forms (e.g., email).

3. Watch them infiltrate public consciousness and popularculture.

Hooray!

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NEXT STEPS FOR DISH ARTISTS:

A first round of parties, aimed at upcoming holidays, culminatingin a
super-fun Easter show at The Lab in San Francisco.

CODE NAME: CULURE JAM #1 (A.K.A. "The Bunny Jam")

OK, honnies, what's coming up? There's Valentines Day with LOVEand sticky
candy and other stickiness, hearts, arrows through the HEART, fatflying
naked boys; there are the changes in the Oval Office and therecently
passed election follies; and then we have Easter bunnies,fertility rituals, little
chickies, hidden candy, The Resurrection, fuzziness, fake grass,Peeps,
baskets & bonnets, maypoles, oozing sugar, The Bunny Hop,etc.

What else is going on? What aspect of popular culture do you careto focus
on?

Bring it all--newspaper clippings, costumes, tchochkes, images,made-up
songs, short skits & plays, audio recordings, poems, stories,videos,
sketches, found objects, candy, ASCII art, and anything else yourburning
heart desires to give to the world--to our first culture jamparty, yes
the first time that great satellite DISH will rotate to pick upand then
broadcast your craziest notions to the world.

Contact Dr. Friendly at drfriendly@earthlink.net