05/15/2026
The "Mathism Manifesto" (also known as MA-MA or the Anti-traditionalist Mathism Manifesto) is an art-philosophical manifesto created by Russian avant-garde artist and philosopher Lena Hades on May 6, 2005, in Moscow. The text establishes a movement that rejects pure emotional expression, positioning scientific and mathematical knowledge as the core foundation of contemporary art.
Key Concepts of Mathism
Anti-Suprematism: Hades strips the prefix "super" from Kazimir Malevich's Suprematism. She argues Suprematism is only a declaration of "over-knowledge" without defined limits, whereas Mathism relies on bounded, definitive scientific truth.
Mathesis Root: The term originates from the Greek word mathesis, meaning learning, science, or knowledge.
Pythagorean Philosophy: It embraces the belief that "All is Number," viewing numbers as qualitative realities and universal building blocks rather than simple tools for counting.
Intellect through Feeling: The movement combines logic with intuition. Prominent art historian Vitaly Patsyukov summarized it as "living science, where the intellect realizes itself through feeling".
Cultural Reception: The original manifesto text on Sygma gained traction in cultural circles and was signed by over 50 prominent Russian artists, curators, and institutional leaders, including Solyanka Gallery Director Boris Pavlov