A REPRODUCER’S CONDUCT
IN THEIR PRACTICEA reproducer should borrow from others
A reproducer should not fear being unoriginal
A reproducer should not compromise
over terms and conditions
A reproducer should not make themselves
into an idol
A reproducer should not make themselves
into an idol
A REPRODUCER’S RELATION
TO CREATIVE STRATEGIESA reproducer’s creative strategy is uncreative
A reproducer’s creative strategy is unoriginal
A reproducer’s creative strategy is
reproduction
A reproducer should trust the process of
uncreative strategies
A reproducer should use uncreative strategies
for creative purposes
A reproducer should use uncreative strategies
for creative purposes
A reproducer should use uncreative strategies
for creative purposes
A REPRODUCER’S RELATION
TO THEIR LOVE LIFEA reproducer should avoid falling in love
with copyrighted work
A reproducer should avoid falling in love
with copyrighted work
A reproducer should avoid falling in love
with copyrighted work
A REPRODUCER’S RELATION
TO APPROPRIATIONA reproducer shouldn’t cause suffering from
appropriating
From suffering comes the worst lawsuits
Suffering brings catastrophes
Through wrongful appropriation a reproducer
deceives their spirit
Through wrongful appropriation a reproducer
deceives their spirit
Through wrongful appropriation a reproducer
deceives their spirit
A REPRODUCER’S RELATION
TO CREATIVITYA reproducer should not fear being
uncreative
Creativity is a will-o’-wisp
A reproducer should create from the existing
A reproducer should move information
A reproducer should be moved in the process
Moving information is never uncreative
Moving information is never uncreative
Moving information is never uncreative
A REPRODUCER’S RELATION
TO THE BLANK PAGEA reproducer should not fear the blank page
For the blank page exists only for those
who aim for originality
A reproducer should not aspire to being original
Originality is a will-o’-wisp
A reproducer should feel comfortable
in starting from the existing
A reproducer should dwell with readymades
A reproducer should not fear being uncreative
For creativity sparks from existing information
A REPRODUCER’S RELATION
TO DEPRESSIONA reproducer should not be depressed
Depression is not productive for a reproducer
Depression is not productive for a reproducer
Depression is not productive for a reproducer
A REPRODUCER’S RELATION
TO INSPIRATIONA reproducer should look deep outside
themselves for inspiration
Information is material
Inspiration is everywhere
The deeper they look outside themselves,
the better they become
A reproducer should directly incorporate
inspiration in their work
For incorporating is homage
For incorporating is homage
A REPRODUCER’S RELATION
TO QUOTINGA reproducer shouldn’t avoid mentioning their
sources
A reproducer should quote their
inspiration properly
For quote is a democratic tool that allows
knowledge to flow
A reproducer is not a gatekeeper
A reproducer is not a gatekeeper
A reproducer is not a gatekeeper
A REPRODUCER’S RELATION
TO THEORYA reproducer chooses their theories
Theories translate into concepts
Concepts are a reproducer’s language
The language must then be translated
Sometimes it is difficult to find the key
Sometimes a glossary is the key
A REPRODUCER’S RELATION
TO SOURCESA reproducer should form a bond with their sources
Sources are vital for a reproducer
A reproducer should avoid making their sources
into idols
A reproducer should avoid making their sources
into idols
A reproducer should avoid making their sources
into idols
A reproducer should be critical of their sources
A reproducer should be critical of their work
To critique is to design improvement
Critique is vital for reproduction
A REPRODUCER’S RELATION
TO TRANSPARENCYTransparency means to give
Transparency means to receive
Transparency means to give
Transparency means to receive
A reproducer shouldn’t be cryptic about
what they appropriate
A reproducer should be clear about their
conceptual paths
Conceptual is not cryptic
Conceptual is not cryptic
Conceptual is not cryptic
A reproducer is transparent not deceiving
A reproducer is transparent not deceiving
A REPRODUCER’S RELATION
TO RESEARCHA reproducer should avoid researching
material everyday
A reproducer should not treat his schedule
as a bank employee does
A reproducer should explore life and
information, and work only
when an idea comes to them
A reproducer should repeat
themselves and others
A reproducer should repeat
themselves and others
A reproducer should repeat
themselves and others
A REPRODUCER’S RELATION
TO FASHION LABELSA reproducer shouldn’t wear
fashion brands’ logos
For wearing logos is meaningless reproduction
For wearing logos is advertisement
A reproducer shouldn’t be interested
in owning possessions
that have authentic labels
Authenticity is a will-o’-wisp
A reproducer should only wear what they
proudly appropriate
A reproducer should be conscious of
their clothes in context
A reproducer should be conscious of
their clothes in context
A reproducer should be conscious of
their clothes in context
A REPRODUCER’S RELATION
TO COPYINGA reproducer should imitate
A reproducer should reproduce
A reproducer should copy
A reproducer shouldn’t copy other’s work
without crediting
A reproducer shouldn’t erase the steps
that brought them to their work
For copying is not to shame
For copying is not to shame
A reproducer should be intentional in their
unoriginal strategies
For intentionality brings clarity
Unintentional unoriginality is cheap work
A reproducer should be intentional in their
unoriginal strategies
A reproducer should be intentional in their
unoriginal strategies
A reproducer should be intentional in their
unoriginal strategies
A REPRODUCER’S RELATION
TO COPYRIGHTA reproducer should avoid
breaking copyright laws
A reproducer shouldn’t waste time and money
on attorneys
A reproducer should not copyright their work
A reproducer should promote open access
to their work
A reproducer should allow reproduction
of their work
Ownership is a will-o’-wisp
Authorship is a will-o’-wisp
Copyright is a will-o’-wisp.
Written by Maria Spadoni Battistoni in January 2022 as a reproduction of “An Artist’s Life Manifesto” by Marina Abramović.
This manifesto is not owned by Maria Spadoni Battistoni, nor by Marina Abramovič.
It is, therefore, open for interpretation, appropriation, and criticism.