Digital Feminist Manifesto

Digital feminism recognizes the power of technology as a tool for social change, providing avenues for women and minorities' voices to be amplified, facilitating access to information and resources, and enabling feminist organizing and activism on a global scale.

A manifesto is a public declaration or proclamation that expresses the beliefs, intentions, and principles of a particular movement, group, or individual. It is a written or verbal statement that outlines the ideology, goals, and values of the creators or proponents of a certain artistic or social movement.

The Digital Feminist Manifesto aims to find new ways to define visual self-representation in digital spaces through a feminist point of view. Taking into account the medium that the digital space is, this website will change and evolve, to better accomodate future theories or discoveries regarding the subject of digital spaces.

Explore the Digital Feminist Manifesto in every direction.

Click on the avatars you like the most to download them.

Print the statements by clicking on them as well.

Click, print, take the streets, spread the words.

The body is a fluid canvas in digital worlds.

In the vast landscape of digital worlds, the transformative and malleable nature of the human form lays within these virtual realms.

Unlike the physical constraints of our corporeal existence, digital spaces offer an expansive realm where the body can be manipulated, reimagined, and reconstructed. Through a combination of technological advancements, creative expression, and the blurring of boundaries between the physical and the virtual, the body becomes a dynamic medium for exploration, self-expression, and liberation.

In digital worlds, the body is liberated from all the limitations of physicality and physics laws.

It becomes an interface through which individuals can transcend the confines of their physical appearance and delve into the realm of imagination and possibility.

Through the use of avatars, digital representations of oneself, individuals can construct new identities, experiment with various physical attributes, and express themselves in ways that may not be achievable in the physical world. This process, while already being explored in the physical world by artists such as Orlan or Cassils, is made much more possible by the immediate process of experimenting on bodies as digital canvas.

Digital technologies provide a range of tools and options for manipulating the body’s appearance. From customizable features such as facial features, hairstyles, and clothing to more fantastical modifications like superhuman abilities or fantastical forms,

individuals now have the power to shape their digital bodies according to their own desires.

This fluidity of the body as a canvas allows for a multitude of expressions, reflecting diverse identities, experiences, and aspirations.

Moreover, the fluidity of the body in digital worlds offers opportunities for inclusivity and representation. Individuals who may face marginalization or exclusion in the physical world can find solace and empowerment in the digital realm.

People of all backgrounds, genders, and abilities can construct digital embodiments that reflect their true selves, fostering a sense of belonging and visibility that may be elusive in offline spaces.

The future is fluid and intersectional.

This statement reflects a profound shift in our understanding of society, identity, and power dynamics.

It recognizes that the future is not a fixed destination but a constantly evolving landscape where fluidity and intersectionality are at the forefront.

Fluidity refers to the recognition that identities, systems, and structures are not static but are in a constant state of flux.

It acknowledges that societal constructs, including gender, sexuality, race, and class, are not fixed categories with rigid boundaries but exist on a spectrum. This fluidity challenges the binary and hierarchical frameworks that have historically limited individuals and marginalized certain groups. In a fluid future, individuals have the freedom to express and explore their multifaceted identities, free from rigid expectations or societal norms.

Intersectionality, a concept coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, highlights the interconnected nature of social identities and experiences.

It recognizes that individuals hold multiple social identities that intersect and interact with one another, shaping their experiences and opportunities.

These identities include but are not limited to race, gender, sexuality, disability, and socioeconomic status. An intersectional future acknowledges the complex ways in which these intersecting identities influence and shape our lives, embracing the understanding that systems of oppression and privilege are interlinked and must be addressed collectively.

In a fluid and intersectional future, we see shifts in various aspects of society. For instance, in the realm of social justice movements, there is a growing recognition that true liberation requires an intersectional lens. Movements that were once narrowly focused on specific issues have expanded to embrace the interconnected struggles of different marginalized groups.

For example, feminist movements have evolved to recognize that gender inequality cannot be effectively addressed without considering race, class, and other intersecting factors.

In the political sphere, a fluid and intersectional future challenges traditional power structures and calls for more inclusive governance. It promotes diverse representation and encourages marginalized voices to shape policies and decision-making processes. By dismantling the hierarchies that perpetuate inequality, a fluid and intersectional future strives for a more equitable distribution of power and resources.

Furthermore, in cultural and artistic realms, a fluid and intersectional future inspires creative expressions that challenge norms and foster inclusivity. Artists, writers, filmmakers, and performers explore the complexities of identity, fluidity, and intersectionality through their work.

Revoking the current canon, they amplify voices that have been historically marginalized, shedding light on diverse experiences and fostering empathy and understanding.

Through encuraging a transformative vision of a society that embraces the fluidity of identities, challenges oppressive systems, and recognizes the interconnected nature of human experiences, This future invites us to embrace the complexities of our individual and collective identities, dismantling rigid structures and nurturing an inclusive, equitable, and empowering society for all.

Self-creation is a revolutionary act.

From a feminist perspective, self-creation is a revolutionary act that challenges patriarchal norms, societal expectations, and oppressive systems. It encompasses the power to define and shape one’s own identity, free from imposed limitations and constraints.

At the core of self-creation lies the agency to reclaim ownership of one’s body and its representation, disrupting traditional narratives and asserting autonomy.

In occidental cultures, women’s bodies have long been objectified, commodified, and controlled, subjected to societal standards of beauty, constrained by rigid gender roles, and denied agency over their own physicality.

Self-creation as a feminist act disrupts these oppressive norms and allows individuals to define and embody their own truths through a new gaze.

Through self-creation, individuals can challenge and transcend traditional notions of beauty, embracing their unique physicality and rejecting the narrow standards imposed upon them.

This can involve exploring alternative aesthetics, rejecting harmful body ideals, or embracing diverse expressions of gender and sexuality. By doing so, they dismantle the notion that there is one idealized form of the body and pave the way for body positivity and acceptance.

Furthermore, self-creation allows individuals to reclaim their bodies as sites of power, agency, and self-expression. It involves making choices about how one presents oneself to the world, from clothing choices to hairstyles to body modifications.

By actively engaging in self-creation, individuals assert their right to determine their own narratives and challenge the objectification and control historically placed upon their bodies.

Self-creation is also closely tied to the representation of the body. Historically, the representation of women’s bodies in art, media, and popular culture has been limited to narrow and often objectifying portrayals.

By taking control of their own representation, individuals can challenge these limited narratives and redefine how their bodies are seen and understood.

This can be done through various means, such as self-portraiture, performance art, or, as said earlier, digital avatars that transcend physical limitations.

From a feminist perspective, self-creation is a revolutionary act that challenges oppressive systems, reclaims agency over the body, and disrupts societal expectations. It empowers individuals to redefine beauty, assert autonomy, and transcend narrow gender roles. By actively shaping their own identities and representations, individuals subvert patriarchal norms and pave the way for a more inclusive and liberated future.

The body is constantly evolving and never finished.

Challenging the notion that the body is a static entity, we must realize and emphasizes the fluidity, adaptability, and ongoing process of self-definition of one through the way they present their physical self.

Traditionally, women’s bodies have been subjected to rigid beauty standards and objectification, reinforcing the idea that they should strive for an idealized, fixed form. However, feminism seeks to dismantle these limiting narratives and recognizes that

the body is not a finished product, but a dynamic canvas for self-expression, growth, and transformation.

In digital spaces, this notion is amplified as individuals have greater agency in crafting and representing their bodies. Through avatars, digital art, and virtual platforms, individuals can experiment with and redefine their physicality in ways that challenge societal norms and embrace personal agency.

They have the freedom to transcend physical limitations and explore a multitude of identities, appearances, and embodiments.

Digital spaces offer opportunities for individuals to engage in body positivity, body autonomy, and self-love. They provide platforms where people can curate their online presence and share diverse representations of the body, celebrating its uniqueness and rejecting harmful standards of beauty. From body-positive social media campaigns to virtual communities that promote self-acceptance, digital spaces have become powerful tools for reclaiming and reshaping the narrative around the body.

Moreover, the ever-evolving nature of the body in digital spaces allows for the exploration and expression of diverse identities. Gender non-conforming individuals can, for instance, present themselves authentically by creating digital avatars that reflect their true gender expression, free from the constraints of physical appearance.

Digital spaces provide a means to challenge the gender binary and embrace a more expansive understanding of identity, where fluidity and self-definition are celebrated.

The representation of the body in digital spaces also challenges the notion of a fixed and standardized beauty ideal.

Through digital art, photography, and design, artists can create alternative narratives and counter mainstream beauty standards. They can depict bodies that defy traditional norms, celebrate difference, and promote inclusivity. These representations play a vital role in reshaping cultural perceptions, fostering body diversity, and empowering individuals to embrace their unique physicality.

Acknowledging the fluidity, adaptability, and ongoing process of self-definition inherent in the body on Digital platforms provide opportunities for individuals to challenge societal norms, embrace self-expression, and celebrate diverse representations of the body.

By recognizing and celebrating the ever-evolving nature of it, we can foster body positivity, dismantle oppressive beauty standards, and promote a more inclusive and empowering understanding of the self.

Digital Feminist Manifesto

Digital spaces offer new ways to define ourselves.

In today’s interconnected world, digital platforms provide individuals with unprecedented opportunities to shape their identities, challenge traditional norms, and foster self-expression.

Intersectionality plays a crucial role in understanding how digital spaces offer new avenues for self-definition. It recognizes that individuals’ experiences are shaped by the intersections of various social categories such as gender, race, sexuality, and class.

In digital spaces, intersectionality allows for more diverse and inclusive narratives to emerge, as individuals from marginalized communities can reclaim their narratives and challenge dominant representations.

Through social media, blogs, and online communities, people can amplify their voices, share their experiences, and actively define their identities in ways that challenge oppressive systems.

Feminism further emphasizes the transformative power of digital spaces in enabling individuals, particularly women and people from oppressed communities, to define themselves on their own terms.

Historically, women’s identities and self-perceptions have been shaped and limited by patriarchal norms and the male gaze, which objectifies and commodifies their bodies. Digital spaces disrupt this dynamic by providing a platform for women to reclaim their agency, challenge societal expectations, and express their multifaceted identities.

The male gaze refers to the traditional way of looking at women through a heterosexual male lens, often reducing them to objects of desire.

Digital spaces provide an opportunity to challenge and subvert the male gaze by allowing individuals to curate their own online presence.

Women can share their perspectives, challenge stereotypes, and redefine beauty standards on their own terms. Showcasing their achievements, creativity, and diverse talents, they reshape the narrative around women’s identities and empower others to do the same.

Conversely, the female gaze brings a feminist perspective to the act of looking and representation. It centers women’s desires, perspectives, and experiences, offering alternative ways of seeing and representing themselves. In digital spaces, the female gaze can be expressed through art, photography, and storytelling that highlights women’s agency, diverse experiences, and non-conforming identities.

It allows for the exploration of female desire, pleasure, and subjectivity, challenging traditional narratives and creating space for self-definition outside of patriarchal norms.

Digital spaces offer a unique place for individuals to define themselves without the constraints of physical appearances or societal expectations. Online communities, virtual worlds, and social media platforms allow people to explore different facets of their identity, experiment with self-expression, and engage in dialogues that transcend geographic and cultural boundaries.

Through creative digital avatars, personal websites, and social media profiles, individuals can curate their online personas and present themselves authentically, emphasizing aspects of their identity that may be marginalized or overlooked in the physical world.

In conclusion, digital spaces provide transformative opportunities for self-definition, intersectional narratives, and feminist perspectives. They allow individuals to challenge traditional norms, reclaim their identities, and foster inclusivity. By disrupting the male gaze and embracing the female gaze, digital spaces empower individuals to redefine themselves on their own terms and contribute to a more diverse and equitable representation of identities in the digital realm.

Self-definition is a prime aspect of feminism.

This sentence encapsulates a core principle of the feminist movement. At its essence, feminism seeks to dismantle oppressive systems and empower individuals, particularly women, to define themselves on their own terms

Self-definition acknowledges that each person has the right to shape their own identity, express their authentic self, and determine their own path.

Feminism recognizes that society often imposes limiting roles, expectations, and stereotypes on individuals based on their gender. By promoting self-definition, feminism challenges these societal constructs and encourages individuals to reject prescribed notions of who they should be.

It affirms that personal experiences, desires, and identities are diverse and valid, and that individuals have the agency to define themselves beyond the confines of societal norms.

Self-definition is essential for achieving gender equality and dismantling systems of oppression. It enables women to reclaim their voices, make choices that align with their values and aspirations, and challenge patriarchal structures.

By embracing self-definition, feminism affirms the autonomy and agency of individuals, fostering an environment where personal empowerment, self-expression, and individuality can thrive.

It recognizes that no one person’s identity should be defined or limited by others, but rather be shaped by their own experiences, desires, and values.

References Index

We are all multi-dimensional beings.

Feminism recognizes that individuals, regardless of gender, possess a multitude of identities, experiences, and capacities that extend beyond societal expectations.

It challenges the notion of essentialism, which seeks to limit individuals based on narrow categories or stereotypes.

From a feminist standpoint, acknowledging our multi-faceted nature is crucial for promoting gender equality and dismantling oppressive systems. Feminism encourages the recognition and celebration of diverse identities, embracing the intersections of gender, race, sexuality, class, and other aspects of our lived experiences.

It rejects the idea of fixed gender roles and empowers individuals to embrace their complexities and authenticity.

As such, one is never fully their true self around people, as the way one present themselves to the world will always depend on the context they’ll be placed in. We are multi-faceted as long as we entertain multiple relationships with the world that surrounds us.

In literature, authors such as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explore the multi-dimensionality of characters, breaking away from one-dimensional stereotypes. Adichie’s novel «Americanah» presents protagonists who navigate the complexities of race, culture, gender, and personal aspirations, revealing the multi-faceted nature of their lives and challenging societal expectations.

From a feminist and artistic perspective, recognizing our multi-faceted nature is liberating.

It allows us to move beyond limited definitions, embrace our diverse identities, and celebrate the richness of human existence. By acknowledging our multi-dimensionality, we honor the complexity of our stories and experiences, promoting inclusivity, empathy, and understanding.

Ultimately, we are invited to embrace the vastness of our identities and defy simplistic categorizations.

We are encouraged to celebrate the diverse layers of our existence and recognize that every individual possesses a unique tapestry of experiences, beliefs, and aspirations.

Embracing our multi-dimensionality is a powerful act of self-expression and a means to challenge societal norms and expectations, fostering a more inclusive and equitable world.

The digital world is a place for exploration.

The beauty in the digital worlds lays in the fact that individuals have the freedom to explore and experiment with their gender identity, self-expression, and the ways in which they visually present their bodies to the public eye.

The digital world offers a unique platform for individuals to navigate and challenge traditional gender norms and expectations.

When well conducted, it provides a safe and inclusive space where individuals can explore different facets of their gender identity, experiment with various pronouns, and connect with communities that embrace diverse gender expressions.

Online forums, social media platforms, and virtual communities offer a supportive environment for individuals to share their xperiences, seek guidance, and celebrate the fluidity and diversity of gender identities.

Through digital mediums, individuals can also experiment with the visual representation of their bodies.

Creating avatars, alter their appearances using filters or digital manipulation tools, and engage in digital art forms that challenge conventional beauty standards may be a (temporary ?) solution for people who do not feel connected to their physical bodies to experiment with their own visual representation.

Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have become spaces where one can showcase their unique styles, aesthetics, encouraging others to embrace their own unique expressions of self.

Moreover, the digital world allows for the exploration and expression of gender identities that may not align with the binary constructs of male or female.

Non-binary, genderqueer, and genderfluid individuals can use digital spaces to assert their identities, connect with likeminded individuals, and contribute to the broader conversation surrounding gender diversity.

The digital world’s accessibility and global reach make it an ideal platform for fostering conversations about gender, body positivity, and self-expression. It enables individuals to amplify their voices, share their stories, and challenge the dominant narratives that perpetuate gender stereotypes and body shaming.

The digital space facilitates a collective exploration of gender identities, creating opportunities for education, awareness, and empowerment.

The body is a site of resistance and rebellion.

Through the lens of anticapitalist feminism, the body is not only a physical entity but also a powerful tool for challenging and resisting oppressive systems, particularly those perpetuated by patriarcal and capitalist structures.

Anticapitalist feminism recognizes that capitalism thrives on the exploitation and control of bodies, particularly marginalized bodies such as women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

The commodification of bodies and the enforcement of societal norms regarding appearance, productivity, and consumption are central aspects of capitalist control.

However, the body itself can become a site of resistance and rebellion against these oppressive structures.

Anticapitalist feminism emphasizes reclaiming bodily autonomy, challenging beauty standards, rejecting objectification, and disrupting the capitalist commodification of the body.

It recognizes that by asserting agency over their own bodies and choices, one can challenge the patriarchal and capitalist systems that seek to govern and exploit them.

Examples of bodily resistance and rebellion within anticapitalist feminism can be seen in various forms. Body positivity movements challenge narrow beauty ideals and promote self-acceptance, encouraging individuals to embrace their bodies regardless of societal standards.

Sex worker rights activism advocates for the decriminalization and recognition of sex work as a valid choice, challenging the capitalist control over sexual labor and bodily autonomy.

Activists fighting against oppressive labor practices, such as sweatshop labor or exploitative working conditions, are also asserting the value and dignity of the body in opposition to capitalist exploitation.

Furthermore, anticapitalist feminism recognizes that the body is not solely an individual site of resistance but also a collective one.

Collective action and solidarity are essential in challenging the systems that perpetuate capitalist exploitation. Protest movements, such as feminist marches or labor strikes, harness the power of bodies coming together to demand change and challenge the dominant capitalist structures that perpetuate inequality.

By reclaiming bodily autonomy, challenging beauty standards and global representation, advocating for sex worker rights, and engaging in collective action, individuals can resist the capitalist commodification of the body and work towards a more equitable and just society.

The body becomes a powerful tool for dismantling oppressive structures and asserting the value and agency of marginalized individuals.

The body can’t be defined by physical limitations.

In digital spaces, the body transcends its physical form and can be reshaped, reconstructed, and reimagined.

Virtual reality, augmented reality, and online platforms provide avenues for individuals to create avatars that defy conventional notions of embodiment, liberating the body from physical constraints. This digital fluidity allows for exploration, self-expression, and the challenging of societal expectations.

From a socialist perspective, the concept of the body as a fluid construct aligns with the goal of dismantling oppressive systems.

Socialism aims to create a society where individuals are not limited or commodified based on their bodies’ economic value.

By rejecting the notion that bodies should be reduced to labor or objectified for capitalist gain, socialism emphasizes the inherent worth and dignity of every individual. It seeks to free the body from economic constraints and enable personal fulfillment, self-expression, and collective well-being.

The idea of the body as an abstract construct challenges essentialist views of identity and opens space for inclusive understandings of diverse experiences.

It dismantles rigid boundaries imposed by biological determinism and allows for the self-definition and self-expression of gender and identity.

By recognizing the fluidity and abstract nature of the body, we can envision a future where bodies are liberated from oppressive structures and individuals have the freedom to define themselves beyond physical limitations.

Digital worlds offer avenues for the body to transcend physical constraints, while socialism seeks to liberate bodies from commodification and inequality.

Together, they affirm that the body is not solely defined by its physicality and can be reconceptualized and reshaped. This understanding paves the way for a future where the body is liberated, self-defined, and celebrated as a vital aspect of human existence.

About the project

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The Digital Feminist Manifesto aims to find new ways to define visual self-representation in digital spaces through a feminist point of view. Taking into account the medium that the digital space is, this website will change and evolve, to better accomodate future theories or discoveries regarding the subject of digital spaces.

But as the digital spaces are still made by physical people, it seemed crucial to give the website some ties to the AFK world (stands for Away From Keyboard, Legacy Russel). Therefore, the Digital Feminist manifesto needs to exist beyond the digital space, in our physical world. To make this possible, each point of the manifesto is printable.

Click, print, take the streets, spread the words.

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This website is a diploma project made at ECAL in 2023 under the supervision of Guy Meldem & Jonathan Hares

Graphic Design, texts, illustrations and animation by Tessa Roy

Fonts : Instrument Serif, PT Serif

Many thanks to Nicole Udry, Elodie Anglade, Alexandru Balgiu and Adryan Barrilliet for their additional help, guidance and support throughout the elaboration of this project.

Additional infinite thanks to Laeticia Jakob, Aude Gunzinger and Louise Dupont for their mental strenght and getting their hands dirty throughout the nights we spent glueing down the Manifesto's Statement on public walls.

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