““It is both a confirmation of Blanchett’s sheer presence and acumen as an actor and Rosefeldt’s shrewdness and intellect as an artist. Manifesto is worth every minute””
–Sydney Morning Herald
Artist and filmmaker Julian Rosefeldt has made a name for himself not only for his photography, but also for his elaborately staged films that investigate the language and conventions of cinema as an allegory for societal and individual behaviors. He continues this exploration with the film installation Manifesto, a collage of artistic declarations from the past century reinterpreted as poetic monologues to provoke timeless questions about the gendered, social, and political contexts that shape the artist’s role in society.
These angry, youthful, and powerful texts are brought to life in a tour-de-force of acting by Academy Award-winner Cate Blanchett, who creates a kaleidoscopic series of different characterizations ranging from a TV anchorwoman to a corporate CEO to a homeless man. Presented simultaneously on massive screens, the 13 scenes draw on more than 50 manifestos by artists, architects, choreographers, and filmmakers at early points in their career, woven together into dramatic soliloquies that highlight specific movements or schools of thought. Connecting these famous texts to the humanity of everyday characters and actions, this highly theatrical cinematic installation makes its highly-anticipated North American premiere in an immersive reimagining that takes full advantage of the soaring Wade Thompson Drill Hall to allow viewers to experience both the intimacy of individual scenes and the cacophony of the work as a whole like never before. The resulting polyphonic plea for aesthetic change boldly recaptures the defiant spirit of its source material for a contemporary audience.
Armory After Hours
Join us on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings when the installation will stay open late and we set up a special bar in one of our historic period rooms for libations.
Things to Know Before You Visit
Tickets may be purchased in advance online and by phone or at the door when you arrive.
The films are shown on a continuous loop, and each film (with the exception of the introduction) is about 11 minutes long. There are approximately 2.5 hours of footage in total, and you may spend as long as you’d like with the installation.
There is no timed entry; you may enter the installation at any time during open hours on the day of your visit.
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Other ways to buy:
Phone M–F 10 am–6 pm
(212) 933-5812
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Manifesto is supported in part by Ken Kuchin and Tyler Morgan, Mimi Klein Sternlicht and by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.