The Manifesto of Dark Art

In a world draped in shadows and veiled in mystery, there exists an expression of creativity that delves deep into the recesses of the human psyche, unearthing the profound and the forbidden. This is the realm of the Dark Art. We, the members of this Dark Art movement, hereby declare our manifesto:

1. Embrace the shadows. Darkness is not merely the absence of light; it is a canvas upon which we paint our deepest fears, desires, and truths. We reject the notion that art must always be bright and uplifting. Instead, we revel in the darkness, exploring its depths and discovering beauty in its obscurity.
2. Explore the subconscious. Dark Art is a journey into the subconscious mind, where dreams and nightmares intertwine. We delve into the darkest corners of the psyche, exploring themes of death, decay, madness, and the occult. Through our work, we confront our deepest fears and anxieties, transforming them into powerful expressions of creativity and catharsis.
3. Question authority. Dark Art is inherently subversive. We reject the authority of mainstream culture and challenge the status quo. Through our art, we critique social norms, political ideologies, and religious dogma. We refuse to be bound by the constraints of tradition and conformity, instead, we embrace our role as outsiders and provocateurs.
4. Transcendence through darkness. Darkness is not merely a void; it is a gateway to transcendence. Through our art, we seek to transcend the limitations of the material world, exploring themes of spirituality, mysticism, and the unknown. We embrace the mystical and the occult, harnessing the power of symbolism and metaphor to explore the deeper mysteries of existence.
5. Challenge conventional beauty. In a world obsessed with superficial perfection, Dark Art dares to defy conventional standards of beauty. We embrace the grotesque, the macabre, and the unsettling. Through our art, we confront the uncomfortable truths of existence and celebrate the imperfect and the unconventional.
6. Embrace the uniqueness of individual experience. Each artist brings their own unique perspective to Dark Art. We reject the notion of a singular, universal truth, instead, we celebrate the diversity of human experience. Through our art, we seek to explore the myriad facets of existence, from the personal to the universal, from the mundane to the extraordinary.
7. Challenge and inspire. Dark Art challenges us to confront our deepest fears and anxieties, to explore the darkest corners of our minds. But it also inspires us to transcend our limitations, to embrace the darkness within and without, and to create something truly extraordinary. Through our art, we seek to shine a light into the shadows, illuminating the hidden truths of existence and revealing the beauty that lies therein.
   

Text written by Alberto Sisí – founder of Macabre Gallery, the first art gallery specialized in Dark Art in 2008, and founder of the Dark Art Movement in 2018 – with the approval of the artists who are members of the Dark Art Movement.

First version: 03/06/2009
Last update: 09/03/2020