As already outlined in our manifesto (see Imaginationist Manifesto) the essence of reality is whatever is away from it. Man is at his most content when he is buried deep within his own psyche, indulging in his lucid daydreams, away from all that may ache him. Stated as it is, however, one might interpret us Imaginationists as meditators, and failed Yoga-ists, who merely sit on the grass and just dream ourselves to sleep. This is a kind of escapism we refuse. This is an Eastern mentality which we likewise refuse for it is too foreign for our Western sensibility to adopt.

So how are we to delve into our imagination? There are two means: Objects and Neo-Epicureanism. The latter will be dealt with elsewhere. Suffice to say here it is a philosophy without philosophy, a way of living unconscious of its own living.

Here we are going to delve into the mystery of objects, which are in themselves hosts of the most powerful forces of memory and desire. Imaginationism requires Platforms, a launching-pad that takes us from the mundane life to the Eden of our dreams. Thus our deeply ingrained materialism, after-affect of centuries of capitalism, inevitably lead us to this most immaterial concept. Our lust for objects is materialistic, yet our reasons for lusting after them is utterly spiritual, for us.

The human senses is incapable of grasping an object (or anything else for that matter) for what it truly is. Our senses are connected with our psyche and the world around so inevitably they connect everything to anything. We aim to use this to our advantage. We attribute symbolic and surreal meaning to everything for we are subconsciously connected to everything. Thus it serves naturally that objects are the most ideal Platform to launch us into our imagination.

Let us take a simple vase. Think. What significance could your senses attribute to it. Does it remind you of a vase your grandmother had in her house when you were young? If so, there is your platform; launch yourself into a thousand nostalgic daydreams of your grandmothers house, play games there, analyze the essence of time, just keep it Banal. Or, perhaps, the style of the vase reminds you of the Baroque vases you know exist in still-standing Baroque buildings? If so, there is your platform; indulge yourself in fantasies of Baroque knights and kings, be a demi-god, be a baron, be a serf, anything at all, for none of it is real anymore.

Memory and Fantasy are the two most important components of Banal Thought, and indeed Imaginationism. They are more infinite than our bones. They compress time to their own whim.

Thus we promulgate the Souvenir Mentality. What do we mean by this? When one travels one seeks souvenirs (which in itself means memory in French) to take home with him so he can take with him the memory of his trip. And travel is the most important creed of the Imaginationist. Especially for the Maltese! Us Maltese who live on the tiniest of Islands, so limited in its borders, so constricting in its opportunities, so quickly exhausted of Platforms, we must travel to seek new Platforms. To be abroad, on holiday, is to be in a constant State of Excitement. Thus to bring back souvenirs with you is to constantly have a Platform available around you. We envision homes filled with souvenirs of all kinds! Whats more, they are absolutely, and delightfully Banal.

Buying souvenirs, and shopping itself, despite being necessary and entertaining, is alas not an art form. Thus souvenirs must not merely be bought, but created. This is the Alchemy of Souvenir-Making, the most personal of art. The making of art that is not for sale, not for the sake of others, but merely for the sake of one's own Imagination. Souvenirs, be they paintings, poems, sculptures, trinkets, crafts etc etc until infinity...throughout the process of creation are imbued with the artists own excitement. For they are made in a State of Excitement, filled with imagination about whatever it is you're making. Thus in their final form, they constantly serve one as a Platform unto that State of Excitement and most personal of daydreams.

The truest form of art, is the Souvenir Art. The art that elicits fantasies, or even memories. This is why Imaginationist art is so important. The artist is not merely a craftsman, but he is a welder of dreams, an oracle of imagination. If a painter intends to symbolize dolphins in his painting, and someone who adores dolphins buys it, whenever he passes it by on his way to the kitchen he will walk through a myriad of waves imbued with the voices of dolphins. In that moment, he surpasses reality.

Ah and how wonderful it would be to have such Souvenir Art, such Imaginationist creations embellishing our squares and our streets. A public art immersed knee deep into the publics imagination. Making a trip to the store a trip to Egypt, or to Shangri-La. How much more bearable life would be, for we would be away from that much more!

In conclusion, we want to use our ingrained materialism to surround us with what we cherish, a gallery of Platforms. Thus we will turn the artist and the creator into the ultimate distorter of reality, a messiah of what is not. From now on Interior Decorating is true to its meaning; the poetic irony of decorating our subconscious by decorating our surroundings.