Cosplaying as Myself: A Manifesto by William Sanford
“Behold, I make all things new.” – Revelation 21:5
In this age of metamodernism, I, William Sanford, stand at the crossroads of identity and performance, declaring my intention to embrace the fluidity of existence through the act of cosplaying as myself. My mission is to blur the boundaries between genre, the real and the synthetic, the mundane and the mythical, intelligence and belligerence, kitsch and the transcendent. This manifesto serves as both a declaration and an invitation to explore the vast, chaotic landscape of our shared human experience.
Jean Baudrillard’s vision in “Global Debt and Parallel Universe” captures the absurdity of our reality—a billboard tracking America’s public debt climbing at $20,000 a second, juxtaposed with a countdown to the millennium. Both evoke catastrophe, yet my mission is not about debts or apocalypses. Instead, I posit that this existential angst, as noted by Baudrillard over a quarter-century ago, reveals a deeper truth: the world has already ended, and heaven (or hell) has acquired our debt. Perhaps it’s time to focus on creating new shared mythologies. In a landscape dominated by Instagram models and TikTok stars, shouldn’t we aim higher with our fantasy selves? Can our personal stories transcend what is sold to us? After all, a spritz of Chanel No. 5 can elevate any narrative. Shop Chanel No. 5 here.
Inspired by the philosophical insights of Albert Camus, Søren Kierkegaard, and David Bentley Hart, I navigate this complex reality with a sense of purpose. Camus teaches us to embrace the absurdity of life, while Kierkegaard emphasizes individual choice amid uncertainty. Hart reminds us that our existence is part of a greater narrative. In this dance of ideas, I strive to create music that straddles the line between cynicism and comedy—exemplified in tracks like “Do the Buttcrack”—and sincerity and vulnerability, as expressed in my album “Deep Mollusca.”
As we explore the interplay of technology and identity, I turn to Donna Haraway, who proposes that technology can be a freeing agent for myth-making. George Myerson’s “Donna Haraway and Genetic Foods” reinforces this notion, suggesting our identities can be hybridized and expanded through our interactions with technology. To enhance your own creative journey, a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 offers the perfect blend of functionality and style for capturing your artistic endeavors. Check out the Galaxy Z Flip4 here.
Art serves as a critical influence in my strategy. I find inspiration in the transcendent spaces of Donald Judd’s 15 Untitled Works in Concrete, Mark Rothko’s Rothko Chapel, and Robert Irwin’s Untitled (Dawn to Dusk). These works elevate the ordinary to the sublime, highlighting the beauty that can emerge from our shared existence. In stark contrast, the kitsch of Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog and Andy Warhol’s Campbell Soup Cans serves as a playful critique of consumer culture, revealing the thin veneer separating the profound from the absurd.
In my excitement for contemporary artists, I am captivated by Robert Nava’s Angels, which challenge the boundaries of imagination, and Daniel Arsham’s 20 Years, reflecting the passage of time through crumbling sculptures of modernity. The surreal immersion of Adrián Villar Rojas’ The Theater of Disappearance invites us to confront our fragmented realities. Even the lesser-known Brian Calvin melds cubism and surrealism, reminding me that there’s a touch of Pop Art sensibility buried in his vibrant works. To immerse yourself in the art world, consider Artfinder, where you can discover and purchase unique pieces that resonate with your soul. Explore Artfinder here.
Jean Baudrillard once remarked, “Jeff Koons: impossible to know whether he is stupid or not, whether he can distinguish the kitsch from the original, the true from the false.” This ambiguity resonates with my approach—an exploration of the simulacrum where meaning is as elusive as the soundscapes I create. I embrace my Episcopalian, Christian Ignostism as part of this meta-modern strategy, recognizing the fluidity of belief and the multiplicity of truths. My faith invites me to engage with the divine in all its forms, weaving spirituality into the fabric of my music.
In conclusion, I invite you to join me in the playful act of cosplaying as ourselves, embracing the complexities of existence while forging new identities in an increasingly synthetic world. Together, we will traverse the liminal spaces where art, technology, and spirituality converge, crafting narratives that reflect our shared humanity.
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With rhythm and resonance,
William Sanford
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Works Cited
– Baudrillard, Jean. “Global Debt and Parallel Universe.” Liberation, 1997.
– Baudrillard, Jean. Cool Memories IV. Verso, 2003.
– Camus, Albert. The Myth of Sisyphus. Vintage Books, 1991.
– Hart, David Bentley. The Experience of God: Being, Consciousness, Bliss. Yale University Press, 2013.
– Haraway, Donna. A Cyborg Manifesto: Science, Technology, and Socialist-Feminism in the Late Twentieth Century. 1985.
– Kierkegaard, Søren. Fear and Trembling. Penguin Classics, 1986.
– Myerson, George. Donna Haraway and Genetic Foods. Icon Books 2000.
Note: This manifesto was generated by A.I. and aims to encapsulate the vision of the fictional William Sanford in a playful and engaging manner.