What Is Intriguism? "Intriguism" is an art movement and an art methodology/process/technique, plus a company of goods and services designed to help artists. Intriguism is being defined and redefined constantly. As a new concept, even those who have created the method, the movement and the company are not exactly sure of its full potential, though the possibilities appear to be endless as of this writing. Since October 2007, Intriguism has grown from a "insider" word used by a handful of people in party conversations in Palm Springs, California, into a multi-media company, an art method, and an inspirational art movement. The immediate response to the development and application of the educational and entertainment method has been positively astounding. Several noticeable needs exist within the artistic community and for those who support them. Artists and supporters are frustrated because, despite having more outlets than ever to be seen and heard in the "Information Age", they want "interaction", "feedback" and "tools". They want to make a living at what they do, want the respect they deserve, and crave "creative challenges" to help them as people and as artists. They want to expand their viewership/patronage in cost-effective ways without being overwhelmed by more complications that mass media can sometimes present. Intriguism instantly began to address those needs -- namely through informational, promotional and educational forums. Historic and current context of the arts is seriously lacking as the educational dollar dwindles, causing critical thinking and practical methods of bringing "the traditional" into the "advancing technology" (that appears to re-create itself daily) in a manner which makes sense. Intriguism's past/present/future format helps an artist's transition from being an isolated creative force into a "universal language" -- by understanding what the artist is saying, who they are saying it to, and what response it is they want from their audience. The narrative of the artist's work is presented in "relationship to similarities and contrasts" that can effectively bring about an audience's attention and then be translated into action. "The Arts" is most assuredly not just a mild past-time but an economic and political power-base. Concepts create realities and the artists are the visionaries of possibilities -- that's a fact. Artists are not just "keepers of the flame", they are the "spark" which keeps the flame burning brightly. Simply look to history and you will find a group of artists somewhere connected to change who were instrumental in making cultural shifts beyond basic "inspiration". Intriguism is already well on that path. Of course, there will be nay-sayers and critics. There is a natural resistance to change. Beyond whatever negativity comes, Intriguism will prevail, as have other "counter-cultural ideas" such as Dada or anti-art, because Intriguism does address a need, a basic truth: People like to learn, learning is vital to adaptation and human survival, without critical thinking "outside the box" we might as well be dead. What makes Intriguism new is the global, multi-cultural, multi-media connection through a mass media that has never existed before -- the internet. "Viral Marketing" is different in essence than "word of mouth". The known concepts of creation, production and distribution are being re-invented at this very moment. Success, in the near future, as espoused by Intriguists, will be in the "process", in the "doing", in the ability of making choices and taking full responsibility and consequences of our actions. It is the first wave of both simultaneous "objective" and "subjective" communication ever. Due to this conceptual point of consciousness, Intriguism lends itself to fashion, music, dance, writing, visual arts -- just to begin with. Unlike Hip-hop or Rap or Punk which relied on a particular group's vantage, the potential of Intriguism is even greater because it is not a specific cultural experience. It is all-inclusive to anyone who is living, who has lived and who will live. The future of Intriguism is as large as the imagination because that is what it consists of, taken to a practical level.

in·trigue [v. in-treeg; n. in-treeg] 1.to arouse the curiosity or interest of by unusual, new, or otherwise fascinating or compelling qualities; appeal strongly to; captivate: The plan intrigues me, but I wonder if it will work. 2.to achieve or earn by appealing to another's curiosity, fancy, or interest: to intrigue one's way into another's notice. 3.to draw or capture: Her interest was intrigued by the strange symbol. 4.to accomplish or force by crafty plotting or underhand machinations. 5.Obsolete. to entangle. 6.Obsolete. to trick or cheat. –verb (used without object) 7.to plot craftily or underhandedly. 8.to carry on a secret or illicit love affair. –noun 9.the use of underhand machinations or deceitful stratagems. 10.such a machination or stratagem or a series of them; a plot or crafty dealing: political intrigues. 11.a secret or illicit love affair. 12.the series of complications forming the plot of a play. The "Intriguism" Art Method is any media inspiring intrigue from the creator and viewer (as described in the definition of intrigue) and which follows the twelve item criteria as set forth in The Retro-Future Art Method below. The word "intrigue" itself has many meanings. The resulting art works which employ the method can exude a kind of "truth of experience" in ways other art media does not, such as layering meanings, while still being stark in elements. Intriguism doesn't disguise the fact it IS media. Intriguism takes the basic art principles of color, texture, perspective, etc. and brings these principles even further into the forefront of the viewer's mind through a process of using mixed media and multi-media, without the limitations of a particular setting or past methodology -- becoming a method in itself (much like the Dadaist's purposeful "accident" methods). The artist's intent of meaning in the Intriguism art work can be of what was, what is, what could be, or a combination thereof (the retro-futurism theme). With Intriguism, the narrative "story" may or may not have several complex, similar or conflicting ideas in a dramatic collage-style; but each message is clear and definable. The method is deliberate in intent. The result may appear "gritty" and "slick" simultaneously. The narrative has a particular pathos in the manner of social commentary or social satire. The message plays with stereotypes, icons and languages -- expectations and biases are just so much source materials. Intriguism melds media -- no matter the format -- whether performance, fashion, dance, painting, sculpture, photography, poetry, prose, advertising, etc. Intriguists use traditional and contemporary methodologies to explain their life experience. Intriguism assumes a universal common language of images and expressions. Audiences are "bombarded" with graphics in the Information Age and can understand the "visual language references" used in this method because they are so commonly used currently. Art movements throughout history could be directly linked to social development and an evolutionary development in human consciousness. Intriguism plays to the primal aspects of fear, doubt, guilt and shame while searching for meaning in larger contexts, the super-conscious. Intriguism has an omnipotent viewpoint that evokes religious, political, sexual and psychological components -- sometimes all at once. While still maintaining "nothing is sacred", Intriguists seek "clues" to the human experience of the past to build upon for the present, realizing that without the past there could be no future. Intriguism works are beyond "an art in its age", becoming instantly timeless, because it moves up and down a time scale. The Intriguist philosophy is a serious socio-political art movement with a relativist's commentary, while still full of satire, and is openly provocative. Intriguism is not passive or shy. Intriguism defies the use of censorship. Intriguism demands things from the audience: attention, consideration, patience, work. The core idea is to incite and provoke.

The Art Movement: There are dozens of social events Intriguists attend such as gallery openings, poetry readings, parties, museums, classes, and tours of places of interest. Intriguists share information, resources and ideologies with each other and the world. Intriguists are everyone from young college students studying philosophy or literature ("The I Generation") to retirees who want to "stretch their curiosity" ("The Retro-Retro-Futurists") and lots of other people inquisitive about what we are doing. They often refer to themselves as "brothers" and "sisters" as a sign of personal humility, faith in positive results, and unity in the "spirit of creativity", without being metaphysical about the whole thing. The label "brother" reminds Brother Andy of all the Great Artists who have gone before and how much they sacrificed so that he may learn by their example - good and bad. And…the monicer happens to be memorable and fun. The Intriguism Art Movement can be seen gaining momentum as people apply the "I Method" to music, fashion, films, performances, the written word, architecture or photography, and every form of media that exists, as a start. Since its inception in October 2007 when the word was first coined, the idea of the movement has quickly been accepted as fact. The results speak for themselves. The "I Method": The "I Method" is developing as an on-going process - which is the method itself. Terms are being created to label aspects of the work, concepts and social situations by those who practice it. 1) Retro-futurists use a "past, present and future" structure to analyze situations and to build from as a tool. "Historic context" and learning "why" and "how" are vital to the process. Sometimes it is a matter of asking the right question to find an answer - right or wrong. Intriguism is the icon language of the Information Age - written, visual or otherwise. 2) Intriguists layer iconic ideas and images (similar or conflicting) for an intentional narrative meaning, both objective and subjective. Most artists have one subject matter in a single work. An Intriguist will typically have three or more direct meanings, without being "subliminal", within a single work. 3) Intriguist art does not hide media. If it is a painting or photography (or both combined), one does not "get lost" in it. The work looks like what it is, like an advertising art format. 4) Intriguists use modern techniques to further traditional media such as digital art being used as an extension of the conventional photographic/visual/graphic arts. 5) Intriguists may use humor, satire, pathos, provocation, and shock - to evoke intrigue. Intriguists are purveyors of "anti-censorship" of any kind and no subject is considered "off-limits", including "bad taste". 6) Intriguists address the "needs" of artists and non-artists for challenge and inspiration, through education and entertainment. A viewer does not need to be "highly educated" to "get" what the Intriguist artist is "getting at". 7) Intriguists understand the power of the group, the individual, and the idea. They use these concepts as an art form in conjunction to the media work they may do, for instance using "celebrity" as a way to bring attention to a social cause, while continuing to produce goods and services otherwise. They may use "outrageous" posturing for "show" while making strategic, well-planned stands toward serious, "legitimate" goals such as making money or social change. 8) Intriguists do not break rules just for the sake of it. Intriguists are not nihilists or anti-artists. They are also not Dadaists or Situationalists re-packaged. Intriguists are more interested in the freedom to try something than to waste energy on "negativity" on what is not working in a given situation. Intriguists see no need to "destroy", just set aside, re-vamp, and risk moving forward. Intriguists are not "searching" for anything. They practice "processes". 9) Intriguists do not pander to an audience. They invite audience in to participate in what they are doing. "Success" for an Intriguist is not reliant on any outward social condition. "Success" is measured by one's personal goals. 10) Intriguists reflect on traditional political and religious conformity by examining fear, doubt, guilt and shame -- the very essence of what "intrigue" means. Intriguists not only question, they respond and act. Intriguists are only interested in the "dark side" of human nature inasmuch as to understand and accept, and not promote fear, doubt, guilt or shame in any way. 11) Intriguists know the tools: the traditional standards of composition, texture, light, contrast, depth, color theory, plus popular cultural references. However, Intriguists are not concerned with social value scales. An Intriguist would re-invent the wheel to see if it was possible and that agenda would be enough to satisfy their creative needs - is it possible? 12) Intriguists are information junkies. The more you see, the more you learn. The more you learn, the more you see. Critical-thinking - thinking for one's self and self-actualization -- is the first goal. Taking action is the second goal. Quality of life is the third goal. The Intriguism Company: Intriguism is also a copyrighted and trademarked services and goods organization. The Intriguism Services/Goods include creating and publishing PDF books and magazines and calendars, producing entertainment and educational videos, website design and maintenance, advertising, events and so much more. Intriguism is many things to many people and it will become much more.

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