Mike Daisey Manifesto

Mike Daisey performs an autobiographical extemporaneous monologue (his description). That means he tells stories about himself without a script and he did this in a show called Monopoly! which has to do with inventions and corporate culture. I didn't see that one. I saw him deliver a Manifesto, one of three given by artists and performers as part of PuSh Assembly, the more industry-oriented dimension of the festival. Hybrid arts festival organizers and artists from around the world gathered for this very diverse program of events which includes some kind of art speed dating (sometimes with lawyers) and also serious talks about stuff.

Mike Daisey spoke for about an hour about why art is important and what it should do.  His important points: art talks about things that can't be spoken about elsewhere, we should rebel against the mass production and slick packaging which is taking over the arts, theatre should be more entertaining than any given episode of Law & Order and if not should be rejected, art should question how we can live moral, important lives in the age of the global corporation. The talk was compelling and interesting although a little rough around the edges.

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Kris' viff blog


Enjoyed your observations on Mike Daisey. We saw his Monopoly monologue, and its form inspired me. Just him sitting at a table, talking to an audience. Speaking compellingly, both in content and in form. His stories converge to say a lot about modern times, and his delivery is entertaining without being overdone. Maybe we need more people who have something important to say, just saying it like he does.

Eleanor more than 14 years ago