AVANTI POPOLO: CULTURE STRIKE!
THE REFUSAL TO LABOUR IS THE CHIEF WEAPON OF WORKERS FIGHTING THE SYSTEM; ARTISTS CAN USE THE SAME WEAPON.
THE STATE SUPPORTS ART, IT NEEDS ART AS A COSMETIC CLOAK TO ITS HORRIFYING REALITY, AND USES ART TO CONFUSE, DIVERT AND ENTERTAIN LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE.
THE TOTAL WITHDRAWAL OF LABOUR IS THE MOST EXTREME COLLECTIVE CHALLENGE THAT ARTISTS CAN MAKE TO THE STATE.
- Gustav Metzger, 1974.
The Artists' Wakes
AVANTI POPOLO: CULTURE STRIKE! was especially produced for The Artists' Wakes, an event at Bury Art Gallery exploring the power of collectivism and observing the industrial action of Lancashire mill workers during the Industrial Revolution. The Artists' Wakes was organised by Magnus Quaife and featured contributions from more than twenty artists and artists groups.
With many thanks to Liverpool Socialist Singers.
Video tour of the event