Public Knowledge: The Debrist Manifesto - Camden Art Centre

Public Knowledge: The Debrist Manifesto

A new book reading/live performance by Scott King cultivated from his recent publication The Debrist Manifesto; a term created by the author to describe his ongoing embracement of ‘failure’ and the ‘excitement and potential’ that it can generate. King adopts the position of the cultural raconteur, responding to various scenarios outlined in the manifesto to ensure failure and maintain the core principles of Debrism: ‘Failure is success in art (and life). Desire is everything.

With special thanks to Richard Massey and International General.

The artist

"It is essential that you never align yourself to a recognised/serious thinker. Your open affiliation will lead ONLY to acceptance – possibly even the invitation to join a faction – or, in the worst-case scenario: take part in a symposium." The Debrist Manifesto, Scott King

The artist

Scott King is an artist, graphic designer and writer. King worked as art director for i-D magazine, creative director for Sleazenation magazine, and is a contributing editor to Arena Homme+ magazine. From 2013 to 2016, King was Professor of Visual Communication at University of the Arts, London. He has produced graphic design work for the Michael Clark Dance Company; Malcolm McLaren; Pet Shop Boys; Róisín Murphy; John Grant; Saint Etienne; Earl Brutus; Suicide and New Order amongst many others. King’s work has been exhibited internationally, in both commercial galleries and institutions, including Institute of Contemporary Arts, Barbican and Studio Voltaire in London; Museum of Modern Art and White Columns, in New York; Palais de Tokyo, Paris; State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg; Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago; Portikus, Frankfurt; and Kunstverein Munich.