SAM MANIFESTO
Seattle Art Museum Officials-
I want to express my sincere apologies in advance for any disruption caused during your ‘Poke in the Eye’ show, which highlights the counterculture art movement of the West Coast. My intention is not to damage your walls or reputation, nor to show disrespect to the participating artists or the esteemed position of your institution within our community.
My aim is to use this vacant wall for an ArtBombing demonstration, to emphasize the irony of showcasing counterculture art while not anticipating some of that very counterculture to manifest in its own voice. Today, I am that voice. I fully understand the legal and financial risks involved in this act, but I believe it is a crucial step toward fostering a dialogue about the challenges faced by working artists and the institutions that control access to our work.
When counterculture becomes part of mainstream consumerism, we lose touch with the authentic contributions of that movement. While I appreciate that SAM is making efforts to reclaim these lost voices, the institutional practices surrounding artist acquisitions have largely remained unchanged, leaving many artists still marginalized from the process.
Today, I am presenting my work, “President Business,” an iconic representation that critiques the fact that art often only gains recognition once it is consumed, commercialized, and collected for profit. SAM serves as a significant regional validator for West Coast artists, and my performance here is a respectful appeal for you to do a better job supporting the active artistic talent that surrounds you.
Thank you for your understanding and consideration.
Jamie Curtismith
@jamiecurtismith