The Future Feminism manifesto and the individual tenets function as tools for debate, inspiration and the tenets can individually serve as affirmations or slogans. The tenets themselves, their visual presentation as per the exhibitions - and the performances, programmes of lectures and debates which were presented in conjunction with the physical exhibitions - are all good examples of how to shape an inclusive and visually, as well as intellectually, engaging presentation of a new kind of feminism. The language is easy and the tool is open for reuse and adaptation to the individual organisations when making sure to accredit the original manifesto.

For an organisation to make use of the manifesto to have conversations about equality and ecology, feminism and biodiversity, there are 13 great starting points for debate. One way of engaging with this would be to run safe space workshops where participants are made to feel comfortable engaging with thoughts and discussions of systemic change: For a bigger organisation/ collective/ community this could mean spending a half day coming together as a whole to discuss the Future Feminism vision. Starting with an introduction contextualising the manifesto in the organisational setting, break out in smaller groups to discuss the individual tenets. Converge again to present findings and thoughts on how to interweave the Future Feminism sentiments into the fabric of the organisation / collective/ community and its day-to-day workings. For a smaller group it could mean going through the individual tenets over the course of several meetings to make the smaller collective more in tune with the tenets most relevant to the community and their activities. Eg by taking out an extra 30 minutes-1 hour weekly for discussing and finding ways to use Future Feminism as an integrated tool for change. Another more creative way of engaging with Future Feminism would be for a community to take a cue from the exhibitions, and present their own Future Feminism exhibition, exploring the tenets in artistic expressions and organising a series activities focusing on the tenets and how they connect with the specific community.

Future Feminism is a feminist artist collective, instigated by New York based Kembra Pfahler, Johanna Constantine, Anton Hegarty/ Anohni and Sierra and Bianca Casady/ Coco Rosie. Over the course of several years the artists - all female and non binary - discussed and analysed the presence of feminism as a natural core in their individual works and that of their peers. Through a process of research and dialogue in their wider community including feminists from different waves, an idea of a need for a new feminism was formed. Over the course of several retreats where the collective isolated themselves and delved deep into what feminism means past and present, and which shape it can take for the future, they arrived at a proposal for a feminism of the future. Distilling their collective thoughts on and aspirations for feminism, they produced 13 tenets forming a manifesto for Future Feminism and planned an exhibition to present it. The exhibition around the manifesto took place twice, in New York City in 2014 and in Aarhus 2017 as part of the European Capital of Culture, where Anohni was artist in residence. An integral part of the exhibition was a series of 13 performances, seances, talks and workshops. Each focusing on a different tenet. The exhibition in Aarhus was dedicated to Ashley Mead, an inspiration for, and active part, in Future Feminism in New York. Mead was murdered by her ex partner and father of her child in 2017 and the exhibition included a sculpture re-assembling her dismembered body and a burial at sea ritual to heal the community and celebrate her life and activism. Future Feminism was born out of the avantgarde art and music scene in New York, and includes familiar faces from ‘higher brow’ pop culture and contemporary art, such as Antony & The Johnsons/ Anohni and Coco Rosie. Associated artists are Lydia Lunch, Laurie Anderson, Kathleen Hanna, Marina Abramowich and many other artists and activists. Having NYC avantgarde art scene as a starting point, and well established and respected artists and punk icons involved with the project meant that taste makers picked up on the exhibition and the manifesto. Therefore some tenets such as ‘The Future Is Female’ will be recognizable from social media trends, political campaigns, and fashion statements. However, beyond the publicity friendly phrases and packaging, lies a genuine ambition for starting a worldwide conversation, about how human beings relate to each other and the planet we live on. By drawing comparisons between the subjugation of women and the subjugation of our natural resources, Future Feminism intends to highlight the connection between the two. And demonstrate how with empathy and care at the heart of governing systems the world could be a much more sustainable, equal, fair and enjoyable place to live.

Listen to a discussion about punk music, avant garde art, feminism and the Future Feminist movement: https://lydianspin.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=kembraFollow the different artists as their work continues to include and develop their work with the manifesto and its impact.

Ahohni / Anton Hegarty, Kembra Pfahler, Johanna Constantine, Sierra Casady and Bianca Casady/ Coco Rosie, Ashley Mead and all others involved.