Manifesto of Manifests
Do algorithms require the participation of a human? Is it possible to offer machines and people an equal existence in a world of horizontal hierarchy? How can we consider the meaning of machine communication since its manifestation in futurism? 'Manifesto of Manifests', an exhibition which lays out these open–ended questions, is open until May 14th at the Zotov Centre in Moscow.
'Manifesto of Manifests' at the Zotov Centre is an extension of a large-scale project by Avant-garde LAB 4 curatorial team from the Jewish Museum and Natalia Fuchs, United Curator Collective founder.
Over 150 texts written by art theorists, artists, designers, architects, choreographers, filmmakers, and researchers throughout the 20th and 21st centuries were collated in a database which was then given to a machine to create a new machine manifesto. Parts of the manifesto are presented in English, meaning they can serve an international audience as well.
The curator Natalya Fuchs and members of the research group (Sofya Chernykh, Kristina Syrchikova and Anastasia Polionovich) have been working on the history of the creation of the project. Throughout the exhibition, issues of human and non-human interaction in art projects along with the prospects for a new understanding of the role of machines and artificial intelligence are all considered, taking into account historical parallels with futurism.
The Zotov Centre has an interesting backstory. Originally located on Khodynskaya Street, it was once the site of a bread-baking factory, built in 1931. This factory was significant as it was the first of its kind in the USSR, one of the five automatic ring bakeries designed by engineer Georgy Marsakov. Later, the factory was named after Vasily Zotov, former Minister of Food. Following the factory's closure, the building was renovated and repurposed as a cultural and educational centre known as the Zotov Centre.
This means that visiting the exhibition is also a good chance to experience this culturally significant building with its specific heritage, including the "native" brickwork of the walls, and the concrete ceiling with its numerous "patches". The upper level has retained the drum of the former conveyor and the wooden ceiling, which today serves as a lecture hall. The authentic elements of constructivist architecture design make this building an ideal venue for displays and exhibitions.
How to get there:
The Zotov Center is located not far from Ulitsa 1905 Goda Metro Station and Beloruskaya station. Exit 1 from Beloruskaya and bus T54 will quickly lead you there. Or alternatively, you can walk from Ulitsa 1905 Goda Station, which takes about 12 minutes.
Address: Khodynskaya street 2, building 1.
Ticket: free entry
Opening hours: 11 am–10 pm, Tue–Sun.
Text by Lý Trang, second-year master’s student of Critical Media Studies, intern at the HSE University English website team