In an effort to address this mounting miasma and re-aline our cultural backbone, we,
here at theInternational Fine Art Moratorium Project, are offering some proposals
to help solve this impending nightmare:

Number 1: The Moratorium

A voluntary one year moratorium on the further creation of Art objects and other related
products and promotions. This will give us all a chance to step back and reassess where we’ve been
and what the future holds.

A chance to step outside the galleries, studios, and workshops and engage in a dialog of our creative
global-nation and our needs as a united community.

A chance to reeducate ourselves, perhaps to travel, or to reaffirm our spiritual values.
An opportunity to address the many challenges faced by our communities, friends, and families.

We propose the Moratorium begin on January 1, 1999 and culminate in a grand celebration on
the first day of the new Millennium, year 2000.

We understand that for some, a one year moratorium might cause financial hardship to
those who actually support themselves and others through the production and sale of Art.

Afterall, we here at I.F.A.M.P. are artists too.
So, for those who can clearly demonstrate need, we propose replacing our State
and National Endowments for the Arts programs with a program to pay artists

NOT TO MAKE ART.

Perhaps, International Monetary Fund grants could be temporarily diverted to
such a use. We’re thinking along the lines of Great Depression era New Deal programs of
the thirties, where farmers were paid not to grow crops.

Maybe even private sector Corporate or Foundation money could be re-channeled.
Multi-national Corporations are you listening?

Number 2: Artists Helping Artists

This financial assistance would by its very nature have to be stringent. Many artists could
no longer maintain their current lifestyles.

Think of this as an Art Fast. And those artists who are well-heeled could extend a hand
of generosity to fellow artists who might be less well off.

Number 3: International Fine Art Landfill Monuments

The establishment, by the year 2001, of the International Fine Art Landfill Monuments.
Solemn repositories for homeless Art, to be located in isolated sub-desert or under-utilized
agrarian regions, throughout the continents. The landfill, accessible by rail, would allow
artists to easily and inexpensively ship their works to the site, where trained personnel could
separate out any recyclable materials, and bury the rest in this sanctioned location.

Number 4: Visitors Centers

Located near each landfill site would be a bermed and landscaped Observation
Point as well as a Tourist and Visitor Center. Designed as a Japanese garden without door
seating, for peaceful contemplation or just a family picnic.

Artists could visit and observe their works which rejoined nature in a respectful environment.

Additional tourist traffic would infuse the local economy with needed revenue and provide
a possible venue for public concerts and lectures by artists.

In Conclusion:

Don’t hesitate to respond with your support.
We need to pool our essential creative resources
to make Art viable and vital, well into the twenty-first century.
With godspeed. Peace and Prosperity through Art;

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