If conceptual art does not need to be seen to be understood, then does the artwork need to even exist?
Can literally anything be art so long as it has been given a clever, or creative, title?
How much of conceptual art is in the title, or idea, alone?
From these questions the idea of Imaginary Art was born and we asked -
Can we create art that is only in the imagination, offering each and every viewer their own unique experience?
Can we have art without a sellable end product? An art that is more democratic, that potentially exists entirely outside the Art World?
In answer we created Imaginary Art and say -
Imaginary Art is a creative writing exercise and experiment.
Imaginary Art seeks to create individual experiences and one of a kind artworks in the mind.
Imaginary Art is online, in blog posts advertised on social media. It could exist in galleries, on canvas and other mediums, on posters, on mugs and on t-shirts. But it might be best online. As such, it could be displayed in every gallery in the world at one time. But, more importantly, in every home with the world wide web.
Imaginary Art can be the description of an artwork that does not exist. Perhaps it should, perhaps it could. But in many cases it should not. And does not need to.
Imaginary Art can be an idea for a group activity.
Imaginary Art can be an exercise for the mind, a form of mindfulness.
Imaginary Art is often homage. A way to point you to real art, to celebrate art that is loved.
Imaginary Art is not anti-art. It is a way to make you feel and think; to create.
Imaginary Art is democratising, it allows everyone to be an artist - however much they wish to participate.
Imaginary Art is not original or unique, and does not claim to be.
Imaginary Art is Conceptual Art. Without the art. Imaginary Art is conceptual.
Imaginary Art can be loose or very precise. Expansive, or very concise.
Imaginary Art is quite possibly the most naive art.
Imaginary Art is not the future.
Imaginary Art will not sweep the old art aside.
Imaginary Art is a nonsense. Imaginary Art should be, and hopefully is, fun(ny).
The Imaginary Art Manifesto is a definition and a call to like-minded souls who would like to write, participate, or both.
Let us bring this experience to the world.
Let us imagine together and apart.
Let us create and help others to create their own unique works of imaginary art.
