Manifesto: Uselessness as practise against System

Abstract

This thesis discusses Neoliberalism, Empire and production-consumptions cycles in relation to how we value the environment and art. It goes on to discuss how they are reinforced by, or impact on contemporary arts practice and participation in the arts industry, using the Fluxus Movement as an example. Two art works are discussed from the perspective of the artist and put into the context of global production-consumption. It then discusses Non-Production and Uselessness as possible means of dissent through a discussion of the art works of Ellie Harrison, Lee Lozanno, Tehching Hseih and Maria Eichhorn.