[-empyre-] laws, outlaws & golden pirates

[marc garrett]

Hi Simon, Shu Lea & others,

Appropriation is a behaviour which holds no favour to any particular 
group or individual, and perhaps the expectation of 'things not being 
appropriated' by others whether by capitalism or not - is an unrealistic 
demand.

This (seemingly) perpetual, push and pull between mainstream and 
counter-cultural/activist actions, may be more part of an ongoing set of 
dynamics; as natural as eating or breathing - a reflection of what is 
bound to be.

Radical practices become mainstream and diluted not necessarily only 
because capitalism assimilates its essence, but also because of its 
success to reach a larger group of people acknowledging the spirit of 
what is being communicated.

And even though, it is deeply sickening watching how our own (media art 
related) culture and others' creative noises out there, are being 
sideline by supposed 'gurus', who talk an awful lot of crap about things 
they have little experience of themselves, whilst top-down 'orientated' 
organizations get pulled into web.2 myths and similar nonsense. I feel 
that, by focusing on an argument that gets us caught up in a binary loop 
of trying to always be 'underground' as the main function of radicalism 
is a diversion.

 >The question is how to short circuit that process?

Any good hacker knows that if you want change, you get to the root - 
change the defaults - this is where the real battle exists, the rest 
follows...

Appropriation is a secondary behaviour, messing up/altering the root of 
things is where the change and empowerment occurs.

By continuously being concerned with what is commoditised, we get 
diverted into only worrying about the interface alone. And even though 
the surface of things is a direct connection to millions of others, 
whether it be through mobile networks, terrestrial TV, official news, it 
is still important to keep in touch or grounded with what matters beyond 
the interface of mediation 'the root of things'.

Wishing you well.

marc

The appropriation of radical practices by the mainstream is the first step
in normalisation. This process is key to assuring the success of capitalism.
We see it with experimental artistic practices being assimilated into the
art market. Many artists make work they intend to be beyond the reach of the
market - unsalable, uncollectable, literally shit... Nevertheless, it ends
up appropriated and commoditised, the subject of speculation.

The question is how to short circuit that process? Vandalism might be part
of that - to take away more than you put in, to ensure whatever it is you do
its destructive tendency is greater than its creative. However, until now, I
cannot think of a single strategy that has worked. That doesn't mean there
isn't one...