The Power of Art

Art is inherently fantastical, representing a convergence of mythology, culture, identity, innovation, and creativity. It embodies the intangibility of human thought, turning ideas into tangible realities that mirror human progress.

In today’s world, where there is no escape from relentless market forces, artists pretend to exist outside the corruption of power, which we call the Copocracy (corruption of power). It has been known by many names throughout civilization; gods, kings, devils, emperors, sovereigns, dictators, presidents, CEOs, elders, bureaucrats, autocrats, facists, monarchs, patriarchs, the ego…etc. but they all have one thing in common: the need to power-over and control. No human experience has ever existed outside the Copocracy because all we know about human history has come from humans and their keepers, Civilization.

Nothing Exists Outside the Copocracy

The idea that we are born a ‘blank slate’ is ludicrous. Everyone who has been a parent knows that a lot of influence happens in the womb, and science has proven that genetic material has memory. Babies are not ‘pure unadulterated spirit’. They are born heavily indoctrinated beings. There is an equally naïve belief that true artists channel ‘creative spirit’ to create their inspired artwork. By the time an artist is skilled enough to express their transcendent connection, they too have already been immensely indoctrinated. As artists, we know we can tap into energies and inspirations that we don’t always understand, but this mythical notion around the purity of unadulterated creativity that resides at the heart of every creator’s soul keeps us from seeing the corrupted powers that shape and control us. Creativity within the Copocracy is always commodified if it is called art.

Art is Commodified Creativity

What is Art

The most commonly accepted definition of art is a means of creative expression to reflect the cultural and societal values of the times. The problem with this definition is that the social structures that produce artists, define what is and what is not art. Most people will all agree that art is a creative expression, but culture (and their institutional henchmen) define value, not artists. Furthermore, art is not simply creative expression. Humans are creative expressions, so we argue that all humans are artists. Gatekeepers would disagree.

Then what is art? We argue that:

Art is a Byproduct of Creative Intention

All Art is Subjective

All Art is Identity Art

All Art was once Contemporary Art

All Art is Conceptual Art

All Art is Representational, and Therefore Meaningless

Artist Convert Intangible Ideas into Tangible Realities to Encapsulate Meaning

Art within the Copocracy is Commodified

What is an Artist?

An artist translates creativity into a shared experience. They are the meaning-makers of make believe, using their time, energy, resources, capital, labor…etc. to create something they find insightful, meaningful, purposeful, beautiful, reverent.

Artists are Meaning Makers

As a species, we connect through familiarity, experience, language, and validation. Artists often use art to connect to themselves, experiences, perspectives, and others. Whether creating for self-expression, financial gain, or pure pleasure, the artist’s intent is largely irrelevant once the work is commodified. The value of art is determined by the market, and artists are often detached from the benefits of their labor. Because all art is Subjective, ‘Good art’ can only be determined by validation markets whose profit motive do not always align with artistic intent.

What is Art For?

Humans create because it is intrinsic to our existence. Within the contemporary Copocracy (some call it Capitalism or the Global Corporatocracy), the artist’s intention, labor, training, materials, and instruments are debt obligations, and their artworks are the commodities, manipulated and traded in markets that rarely benefit the artist. Art markets are steeped in validation gatekeeping because they exist to protect and grow investments. “Successful Artists” are nothing more than denizens of modern finance. All art supports some aspect of the financial markets, whether we are buying supplies, turning on the lights in our studios, or going to a museum for inspiration. We are all part of a global exchange of goods and services, in a global economy. Denying that every action, every intention, and everything we ‘manifest’ doesn’t have economic, environmental, or exploitive impact, is nothing shy of naïve.

All Art is Business

Artists are Denizens of Finance

All Art has Harmful Impact

This is the shit we, as artists and a collective civilization, we don’t want to think about! Despite this, art still retains its power to provoke thought and reflection, and to steer aspects of society in new directions.

What is ProvoProp Art?

ProvoProp, short for Provocative Propaganda, is a study in the decomplexification of power dynamics that seeks to expose the biases and absurdities of hypocrisy, using art as the tool of provocation.

ProvoProp is firmly rooted in revolutionary history and the human quest for understanding and connection. ProvoProp artists explore complexities, nuances, and contradictions behind ideas and behaviors that appear to be ‘obvious’ or straightforward. It challenges the paradox behind EVERY concept that keeps us trapped and exposes the absurdity of belief systems that keep us disconnected from ourselves and others. ProvoProp is NOT an art genre or philosophical doctrine. It’s a school of thought using art as the substrate, often using parody or humor to deal with complex issues.

Key Characteristics of ProvoProp Art

ProvoProp art is Conceptual Art where the idea (concept) incorporates design to challenge the oppressive absurdity of the status quo. Most often using parody or humor to provoke critical thought.

ProvoProp artwork is designed to challenge mainstream ideologies, question societal norms, and expose the complex power dynamics that uphold repressive structures.

ProvoProp artists produce work that is vulnerable in that it is autobiographical and confessional, based on the artists own experience and perspectives, and how they relate to the collective whole.

ProvoProp artworks are infused with meaning, capable of revealing their essence while examining their own nature and impact. They do not require an ‘expert’ to interpret.

ProvoProp art often incorporates bold visuals, artist-led intention, and accessible mediums to communicate powerful, and often, controversial and interpersonal themes.

ProvoProp artist create original artwork and have a body of work that formulates their unique aesthetics. They do not copy or steal another’s creative insight. A piece of art might be provocative, but a ProvoProp artist has an oeuvre.

ProvoProp honors and expands conventional art practices, often using traditional materials and techniques in new ways.

ProvoProp artists have a level of mastery in the artforms they pursue, as compared to the accomplishments of their inspiration/mentors/predecessors, recognized by their peers. Any other type of validation plays into the profit motive of the market and should never be a consideration in the creation process.

ProvoProp supports dematerialization and stands strongly against rampant waste. A ProvoProp artist should know the lifecycle of all the material that goes into their works and the environmental impact of their pieces.

ProvoProp seeks to dismantle unjust systems and challenge societal complacency.

We seek to understand the corruption of power, stemming from the limiting ideas around the self and our expanding projections onto the world. ProvoProp intentionally aims to disrupt, disturb, and inspire individuals to see their roles in the systemic oppression of Copocracy.  

ProvoProp blends emotional depth with the direct messaging of propaganda, encouraging critical thinking instead of blind acceptance.

ProvoProp mocks its own seriousness while exposing the hypocrisy and destruction of cultural conditioning. “Absurd art” reflects the absurd nature of human reality. Sometimes, we reach a point in our understanding where we realize the only option left available to us is complete annihilation. ProvoProp artists do not destroy. When we find that line, we laugh.

ProvoProp emphasizes creative freedom over commercial success but does not reject financial investment to support artists because we know there is no escape from the Global Corporatocracy. Artists should be rewarded, not exploited.

ProvoProp art rebels against the commodification of creativity and insists on reclaiming the power-over forces that restrict artists.

ProvoProp art rejects compliance, reverence, and market-driven aesthetics in favor of rebellion, questioning, and the pursuit of truth.

ProvoProp art always tries to tell the truth, especially if it’s horrifically absurd and tragically laughable.

ProvoProp gets to the very essence of image and messaging by highlighting the superficiality of our ‘civil societies’ perspectives.

ProvoProp is dangerous because at its root, it disturbs the status quo.

ProvoProp connects with audiences by blending art’s emotional depth with the direct, persuasive techniques of propaganda.

ProvoProp seeks to eliminate any controls on the context of the creation process.

ProvoProp artists reclaim their power, defy societal expectations, and challenge the conventional art world’s economic and cultural gatekeeping.

ProvoProp merges interdisciplinary genres to critique and transform society through the expanding idea of art. In essence, it merges a tangible product or performative act to challenge normative acceptance to take back the power regarding our own creations.

ProvoProp honors artistic intent, creative labor, and technical mastery, allowing the artist to speak for themselves, and profiting from their own labor.

ProvoProp does not require a degree, institutional validation, or reverent approval.

ProvoProp exists to not comply.

ProvoProp art provokes thought, debate, or action with the intent to expose the imbalance in corrupt power-dynamics.

ProvoProp addresses pressing political, social, or cultural themes. It critiques power structures, inequality, and injustices through artistic expression.

ProvoProp always strives to break down the limiting ideas of what ‘good art’ is.

ProvoProp challenges the sensory experience. Imagery and actions are often strong and direct. It can include symbols, slogans, and designs meant to instantly grab attention and deliver a message.

ProvoProp uses all forms of materials, techniques, technologies, and designs that speak directly to the viewer without the need for institutional validation.

ProvoProp artists often use non-traditional or recycled materials in their work, reflecting a rejection of consumerism and a concern for environmental degradation.

ProvoProp artists know that the only difference between art and craft are categorical differences rooted in misogyny and racism.

ProvoProp artists do not comply to the restrictive normalizing of authoritative systems that prop up markets and exploit our existence. This does not mean we are destructive to other artists or artforms, we just simply refuse to conform to market expectations to ‘be good’.

ProvoProp art seeks to uncover power dynamics, mock the absurdity of societal expectations, and reject formal artistic constraints. With complete contempt for formality and elitism, ProvoProp encourages artists to push the boundaries in their work, find new ways to incorporate traditional techniques, and challenge market norms to reclaim the power over our own creations.

ProvoProp artists recognize that economic influence is at the root of bias and discrimination, and we strive to equalize this power imbalance.

ProvoProp seeks to connect people through conversations, not cancel artists who have something to say. We NEVER discriminate against an artist on ANY grounds, especially ability, class, age, race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, mental health…etc. With that said, we honor free speech, we do not ban creativity, and we encourage purposeful abrasiveness, but we do not tolerate abuse under any circumstances. Your naivety, privilege, or protected class does not give you the right to be an asshole! For example, ProvoProp art would say “Fuck You, you’re an Idiot, and here’s why. Let’s talk and convince me otherwise”. General insults are accepted. Targeted abuse is not acceptable.

ProvoProp Art is an act of defiance against the commodification of creativity and the corruption of power in all its forms. It strives to reclaim artistic integrity, challenge oppressive structures, and foster genuine connections through art. By provoking thought and dialogue, ProvoProp artists reject conformity and embrace the absurdity of the human experience, advocating for a world where creativity flourishes beyond contemporary market constraints. We ask this manifesto be a guiding principle for all who seek to explore the profound relationship between art, power, and society. Embrace the chaos, question the norms, and create art that rebels, inspires, and connects.

Artists Creating Absurd Art for an Absurd World