THE TECHISM MANIFESTO
Techism is a movement that reconciles technological innovation with the creation of art. Techism understands innovation, be it technological or philosophical, as a medium in and of itself. For this reason, Techism does not mean how it sounds. It does not put technology before art but rather, sees art and technology as companions meeting the next wave of human expression – digital humanism. We are the masters of technology, and creating art is the expression of digital humanism.
What is digital human existence, and what is the beauty in it?
Many traditional practices of artisanship have remained, and they will continue to do so. Techism is not a movement that stands in opposition to older practices. Nor does it assert brusque claims that the old will be swept away with the new. Artists can decide when and which practices to adopt and discard with each phase of creation.
In the age of digital disruption, technology will continue to transform and revolutionize industries in services, manufacturing, healthcare, media and education, and will continue to revolutionize creative platforms. We are in the midst of creating a new digital civilization, and artists must contribute to this new culture, in order to preserve our humanity. We cannot leave the role of leading future culture to technocrats, engineers and corporations. It is in our collective interest to include artists and people of diverse interests to contribute to our culture in order to create balance, harmony and humanism. Digital disruption is causing fear and unrest, and without a broader dialogue that is inclusive and expresses our true emotions and concerns, there will be wider conflict and misdirected blame. Art is a force of nature that brings us together, and it is necessary today, more than ever.
Art is no longer limited to a frame on a wall. Art is becoming ever more an interactive practice. Collaboration has always enabled art’s creation. Collaboration materializes consciousness. Art is consciousness. Techism is an appeal and return to that consciousness, the consciousness of art as shared, as thing, as idea and as experience.
Software allows the artist to become multifaceted and collaborative. It's about expressing yourself and finding what fits and collaborating with engineers and intelligent software, because you can.
Art is experiential, the phenomenal. We, the viewer participate, and discern for ourselves, what we behold.
Techism is the movement of our time, where we need to acknowledge digital disruption, and accept the immense task of creating new culture that expresses our humanity in the digital age."
- Krista Kim, 2014