RIDICULISM

Born of the Mind of the American Artist

Richie Fine

January 2009

Chicago, Illinois

World-Premiere Ridiculist Exhibition

The Grace Teshima Gallery

August 2009

Paris, France

The First American Ridiculist Auction

Knock-Knock Trading Post

February 2010

Portland, Oregon

Ridiculism- An Art movement that focuses upon the absurd nature of existence within Contemporary Capitalistic Society, and strives to unveil the grand inequalities that such an economic and social structure perpetuates. The work produced under the umbrella of Ridiculism scorns the system contemptuously, yet is ever mindful of the power of banter and buffoonery to open the eyes of the masses to the irrational, unmanageable and unsustainable state of contemporary society. Art is the last weapon in the arsenal of the revolutionary and in order for humanity to prevail we must sacrifice our comforts and live each day focused not upon our own needs and desires but rather the rights of our posterity.

The Chief Principles of Ridiculism

1. EVERY-HUMAN IS AN ARTIST! EVERY STROKE IS SACRED! EVERY MOMENT IS HISTORY! EVERY STORY IS WORTH BEING TOLD! ALL OF THE FLORA AND FAUNA OF THE EARTH WILL ALWAYS HAVE GREATER INHERENT VALUE THAN THE DISADVANTAGEOUS AND WRETCHED PAPER CURRENCY WE ALL MUST SLAVE TO OBTAIN.

2. The rejection of conceptual art that is devoid of skilled and crafted technique. If an artist has an idea and does not have the technical expertise to execute that idea, it is his or her responsibility to learn said technique. We must maintain our tactile abilities and improve them while simultaneously advancing technologically.

3. To approach Life and Art through the lens of humor. For through true laughter and constructive satire we can perhaps unlock the door to our global interconnectivity. Thus offering insight to humanities daunting obstacles.

4. Ridiculism sets out to ridicule the overwhelmingly serious tone that dominates contemporary Art at this time. There is an urgent need for the resurgence of meaningful critical discourse within society. Therefore, we must deride the social systems that enslave us before all knowledge of another way of life is lost. There is Hope, yet this very moment must be defined by action! There is no time to whine or make blame, and there is little time to debate. Can humanity overcome self-interest, the thing that has driven our species for millennia and toil rather for the betterment of all humanity?

5. In an age when Billions struggle for basic subsistence, is it not ridiculous that Artists dead and alive merit millions of dollars for rectangles of wood, covered in fabric and lathered with viscous pigment? DOWN WITH CAPITALISTIC ART THAT IS PRODUCED SOLEY FOR THE MARKETS! Capitalistic art is mere decoration, and its influences are diluting the power of Art and the aesthetic sensibilities of the populous. If an artist is fortunate enough to gain great financial success it is the responsibility of the artist to aid in the success of other unknown artists. The life of the artist should be filled with freedom but also a sense of great responsibility, for Artists are the archivists of the past and architects of the future.

6. Art should be accessible to all people, regardless of their economic status. To use Art as a means of reinforcing one's place on the ladder of wealth is to reinforce ancient monarchical mentality. This mindset cannot endure, for it is stifling billions of their basic human right to the pursuit of happiness, and causes a cycle where billions cannot escape the doom that is daily existence under such perverse and unnatural restraint. We must use the power of Art to further enlighten our species and lead us to a new way of life that is in tune with nature and most importantly each other.

7. Ridiculism is ever changing. As each artist takes up the call to arms of Ridiculism, he or she should add their own sensibilities and knowledge to the collective concepts. This is the way of liberty, and therefore it is the only way to pursue true freedom before it is only a memory in the minds of those already gone.

RISE RIDICULISM RISE!