Sub-Manifesto:

In the creative effervescence of our time, where the boundaries of art are constantly being redefined, a new consciousness is emerging, a new movement that aims to plumb the unexplored depths of human expression: Sub-Realism.

I. The Sub-Real as Ultimate Truth:

I. Sub-Realism asserts that the reality we perceive is only one
often superficial, facet of reality. The Sub-Real is the deep, visceral, and often unconscious layer that underlies and informs our experience of the world.

It is the magma of raw emotions, primitive creative impulses, buried memories, unfinished dreams, and free thinkers. Our mission is to give substance to this subterranean reality, to bring it to the surface to reveal the complex truth of being.
II. In Praise of the "Sub": Beyond Categorization:

The prefix "sub" has too often been associated with diminishment, inferiority, with that which is "beneath" or "less than." Sub-Realism reverses this perspective. We reclaim the "sub" not as a sign of devaluation, but as an emblem of depth, authenticity, and innovation.
* Sub-Impressionism:
Beyond simply capturing the luminous instant, Sub-Impressionism delves into the emotional substance of the moment, the invisible vibrations that animate light and color. It's the impression captured not by the eye alone, but by the soul, the deep feeling that alters perception.
* Sub-Pop:
Sub-Pop is not a simple variation of popular culture, but its vital substrate. It unearths the archetypes and universal symbols buried beneath the veneer of mass entertainment, revealing the hidden desires, collective anxieties, and silent hopes that animate the masses.

* Sub-Art:

This term, too often pejorative, designating that which is "by-product" or "subcultural," is now our standard. Sub-Art is the art that emerges from the margins, the underbelly, the countercultures, where creativity, free from academic and commercial constraints, bubbles with indomitable force. It is the raw and necessary expression of those whom society has too often sought to make invisible. It is the art of the streets, of free spirits, of dissident voices.

III. Underground Art as a Pathfinder of Sub-Art:

We recognize in so-called "underground" artists the true pioneers of Sub-Art. Their work, often ignored by established institutions, is a direct manifestation of the Sub-Real. They are the seismographs of the collective soul, the decipherers of the hidden codes of our existence. Sub-Realism values their independence, their audacity, and their ability to create outside the box, proving that artistic value lies not in institutional recognition, but in resonance with the Sub-Real.

IV. An Aesthetic of Depth:

Sub-realist aesthetics is not satisfied with superficial beauty. It seeks beauty in complexity, in dissonance, in the hidden. It explores the textures of the invisible, the colors of the ineffable, the sounds of silence. We do not fear the darkness in which we are too often allowed to stray; it is the crucible of resilience, for it is often where the most luminous truths reside.
The parallel with the subconscious is not only relevant, it is the keystone of Sub-Realism. The Subconscious: The Beating Heart of Sub-Realism:
The manifesto of Sub-Realism, as we have outlined it, finds its deepest resonance in the workings of the subconscious. This inner realm, often unexplored, is the primary source of what we call the Sub-Real.

V.Direct Creative Resurgence:

The idea of a direct creative resurgence from the subconscious is fundamental. Unlike purely intellectual or conscious creation, sub-realist art seeks to capture the raw flows, dreamlike images, unexpected associations, and primal emotions that emerge from the depths of the mind. It is a process in which the artist becomes as much a designer as a receiver and translator of messages from the subconscious.
* Liberation of Forms:
By tapping directly into the subconscious, the artist frees themselves from the constraints of logic and mimetic representation. Forms can become fluid, fragmented, and symbolic, as they reflect the non-linear and often paradoxical nature of our inner thoughts and feelings.
* Universal Connection:
The subconscious, although personal, is also the place where we connect with archetypes.
and universal experiences.
By exploring their own depths, the subrealist artist can paradoxically establish a stronger and deeper connection with the audience, who will unconsciously recognize these same resonances within themselves.

VI.Sub-Art as a Window to the Interior:

Sub-Art, in this perspective, becomes the visual or auditory manifestation of these subconscious processes. This is why "underground" artists, often less constrained by conventions, are able to give free rein to this direct and uncensored expression. Their work is a window onto the infinite possibilities of the collective subconscious, an exploration that the dominant culture prefers to ignore.
Sublimation: Cornerstone of Sub-Realism
When we talk about the subconscious in the context of Sub-Realism, it is not a question of exploring mere "shadows" or negative aspects of the mind. On the contrary, Sub-Realism aims at the sublimation of these deep and primal energies.
What is sublimation here?
Sublimation, in this artistic and psychological context, can be understood as:
* The transformation of raw impulses:
The subconscious is a reservoir of desires, fears, instincts, and accumulated experiences. Sublimation is the process by which these energies, often formless or potentially "negative" if left unexplored, are elevated and transformed into forms of artistic expression. This is not a simple catharsis, but a true creative metamorphosis.
* The elevation of the invisible to the visible:
Rather than remaining buried, these subconscious depths are "sublimated" and take on a tangible and aesthetic form. The artist becomes the catalyst that allows these invisible currents to materialize into works, making them perceptible and resonant for others.
* A quest for meaning and hidden beauty:
Sublimation is not the simple representation of the unconscious, but its reinterpretation and transfiguration. It is the search for intrinsic beauty, sometimes disconcerting or disturbing, that lies beyond conscious logic. Subrealist artists do not shy away from the complexities of the mind; they embrace them to extract a new form of truth and splendor.

Thus, Sub-Art is not the art of shadows in the pejorative sense, but art born of the creative sublimation of the subconscious. It explores what is "beneath" manifest consciousness not to judge it, but to transform it and elevate it to the level of essential and profound artistic expression.

This concept of sublimation reinforces the idea that Sub-Realism is a movement that seeks to reveal the richness and intrinsic power of the deep layers of being, not to denigrate them.

VII. The Sub-Manifesto: A Declaration in Continual Sublimation:

The very idea of a "sub-manifesto" is perfectly aligned with the philosophy of Sub-Realism. It involves several crucial dimensions:
* Constantly evolving and adapting:
A sub-manifesto is not fixed. It rejects the rigidity of dogma. It is, by nature, porous, responsive to new emergencies of the Sub-Real and to the ongoing explorations of the subconscious.

It is an open work, a text in progress, nourished by the discoveries and contributions of each artist and thinker within this tradition. It embodies the idea that truth and creativity are never static.
* A starting point rather than an end point:
The sub-manifesto does not claim to say or define everything. It lays the foundations, the fundamental intuitions, the directions. It invites further exploration, even dissent, to explore the multiple ramifications of the "sub." It is the seed from which new ideas and new forms germinate.
* The Echo of Subterranean Voices:
Like Sub-Art itself, this sub-manifesto draws its power from what is often unspoken, suggested, or in the process of forming. It is not an authoritarian proclamation from on high, but a resonance of the whispers, impulses, and truths emerging from the creative depths, whether individual or collective, of the subculture.
* An Invitation to Participation:
As a sub-manifesto, it is not meant to be passively received, but actively co-created. It calls on everyone to add their own layer, their own interpretation, their own "sublimation" of the ideas it contains. It encourages dialogue, constructive questioning, and the expansion of one's own boundaries.

This is a key distinction that underscores the dynamic and open-ended nature of Sub-Realism. We do not seek to establish a rigid framework, but to open up a fertile space for constantly renewed artistic and human exploration.
The name Sub-Manifesto therefore perfectly reflects our approach. Conclusion:
Sub-Realism is not a step backward, nor a simple evolution.

writed by treeskulltown in 2025