IDEOLOGICAL DICTATE, 2017

Please note: The piece is, and will be supplied, unframed

IDEOLOGICAL DICTATE is based on one of the first paintings of Laibach Kunst, entitled "Kreuzschach (für vier Personen)", created in 1971, with further interventions in 1981, made as mixed media. The original painting, referring to Duchamp's passion for chess, is in private collection. 

»While all artist are not chess players, all chess players are artists.« (Marcel Duchamp)

Chess was developed in 6th century India and Persia, perfected in the Islamic Golden Age, and differed from other games like dice or backgammon in its emphasis on free will. Whereas games of luck were largely considered haram in Islam, chess was exceptional in indicating the rewards of mental striving in a rules-driven universe.

Whilst examples of ideological dictate include free-market capitalism, communism, and religious fundamentalism. The dominant ideology thesis holds that a system of beliefs and values is used to keep oppressed classes compliant - the upper class promotes values and beliefs that help the upper class maintain its power, and the lower class internalizes those beliefs and values. Thus, the upper class can maintain control of society with less force than might otherwise be required. An instance where the same free will that is glorified in chess is manipulated within the ideological dictate is that of a free, unregulated market. The lower classes believe that free will is offered by variety and the freedom to choose. But they are just pawns supporting the aims and desires of the economic ideology of the upper classes, who actually make the decisions of what choices are availed, and benefit from the profits of these decisions through the unquestioning engagement of the lower classes.

Terms and details:

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