Defastenism

by Edel Horan

'The time has come to regain control!'


Looking back into history we see art movements inspired by periods of social and intellectual change and it is clear how these movement were influenced and in hindsight, what they achieved, but what is happening in our own age? Enter the Defastenists, Defastenism is a self - styled movement set up in 2004 by N.C.A.D undergraduates. I got in touch with Defastenkunstminister for Propaganda & Attire Pádraic E. Moore whose roles include curator, critic and artist to find out more, this article serves as an introduction to Defastenism and some of its basic principles.


The term 'Defastenism', originates in relation to Jurgen Habermas' 'metaphorical seatbelt'. This 'seatbelt' according to P. E. Moore represents the various apparatus and structures, which serve to restrict and contain the true energies and capabilities, which each of us hold. It is not enough to merely unfasten this seatbelt, we must Defasten, such a seatbelt also contains a literal meaning. An important motif for the Defastenist is the aeroplane. How ironic it is say the Defastenists that what was once a miraculous invention, is now an anaesthetic instrument in a world of cut cost flights and fears.

'The time has come to regain control' is the rallying cry of the Defastenist to the generation nicknamed the 'A.D.D generation'. This generation, our generation's (if like me you were born in the early eighties) consciousness has been numbed by media saturation and the constant stream of negative news. Our numbed consciousness feels again by reclaiming control through cultural production. The means of cultural production exists through any form of art such as music and painting to name a few. Fetishes, obsessions and eccentricities fuel the Defastenist art. These are what 'define our creative personalities' Moore explains. Fetishes, obsessions and eccentricities are the true aspects of our consciousness, perhaps the only individual traits left in our age of saturation and endless reproduction, thus the perfect source of artistic inspiration.


'Art is a mission demanding complete fanaticism'; states line one of the Defastenist Party Manifesto. In rejecting cynicism and disaffection, it is an essential grounding belief of the movement that art can endure and overcome the obstacle of distraction. Society as viewed by the artists has become overwhelming. We are overwhelmed in a sense by the media and technology, technology that, according to Moore, should ease the path of life changing information. Technology is now merely a tool of distraction. Are we losing art to entertainment? It is not that the Defastenists reject the commoditization of art, instead they intend to utilise this to their own ends. This is an example of the spirit of Defastenism, utilise our age, not be utilised by it.

Ambition is not a dirty word to these artists, in an age of self - depreciating celebrities and public figures, the Defastenists are not afraid to declare their intent and ideals. Art and its production can manifest a temporary utopia for these artists. One of the central functions of the group is the production of culture through the focus of fetishes, obsessions and eccentricities; focus on such is a way to achieve a temporary utopia. The artists have set themselves high ideals, but pretentiousness seems thankfully lacking, I have been assured that the aim is not to convert or preach to people but to help others and to encourage the spontaneity and disorder of life to be valued and not threatened by ridged social norms and inherited fears. After all, a utopia can only exist when all work together.


It is this, to use Moore's own phrase ' nostalgic sense of optimism' that feels so refreshing in considering the Defastenists and what they are about. Aesthetic experience is total for the artists, thriving on all sensory stimuli, the cultural production brought about by this total experience will, they hope, provide 'constructive methods and alternative means to exist idiosyncratically within this often unsatisfactory, occasionally discouraging society'. The attitude of the Defastenists is that if you disagree with them; enter into the spirit of fun and freedom by starting your own movement/ism as this is the only way progress can be made. Who can argue with that?




To view the party's manifesto and find out more about exhibitions and events organised by the Defastenists visit www.defastenism.4t.com or http://defastenism.livejournal.com/