What are the necessary components of a really good collaboration?
Ok, so here is my "question of the week" for you all: Seeing how so many of you collaborate with other artists on various projects, what would you say are the necessary components of a really good artistic collaboration? (and I share an image of what happens when a collaboration goes bad...have you ever looked like that?)
Tags: artist, artists, collaboration, collaborative process, culture, culture definition, definition of culture, what is culture?
Replies to This Post
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Permalink Reply by Nico Daswani on -
Good question, Devi! To me there are many necessary ingredients. In addition to respect of the other, there is a need for knowledge of who that collaborator is, first as a person, and then what their practice means and what it is they want to achieve through the collaboration. But in terms of getting the collaboration done, I think none of this helps unless the two or more parties are of equivalent artistic level and can make it more than a sum of the parts. And yes, I have sometimes looked like that guy on the photo but usually just when looking at the mirror, not at someone else ;)
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Permalink Reply by Karin Bartimole on
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Hi Devika, Really good question - and thankfully I've never experienced a collaboration gone bad the way it's depicted in the photo above!!
I believe that participation in collaborations are most successful when all parties release their egos, first and foremost! My collaborative involvements are based solely in the realm of visual arts, and they have taught me to let go of any attachment to my own contributions as a separate element of the whole. Each artist responds to and learns from the previous, layering themselves into the montage, seeing in new ways and growing from the call and response that happens. The result, ideally, creates a rich conversation that would never have been possible singularly.
I agree with Nico, in that the participants ought to be working at an equal level of competence/experience, and have confidence in themselves and their abilities. I started a collaboration with an artist I loved, but it seemed she just couldn't bring herself to work over my art comfortably - to add her own layer over mine, which was how we had agreed the process would proceed, by working in a back and forth layering. So, if one artist doesn't have the confidence, or feel free enough to just let go into the process, there will be an imbalance that ends up coming through in the artwork itself...
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Permalink Reply by Devika on -
really interesting- I think that "confidence" is key and wonder when one can feel confident enough to enter into collaboration... I guess it is such a personal process, but the collaborator might disagree!
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Permalink Reply by marceau verdiere on -
very good question. I think this is where the issue of trust in the broader spectrum comes to mind. Mainly I am thinking that if i were to collaborate with someone I would have to question whether I am trustworthy in being absolutely forthcoming with my abilities. And by that I mean the true capability I have to let go of control, of desire and wishes. Hmm very good question, I need to think about this more and come back to you...
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Permalink Reply by Smiley Riley on -
I think we need to look within ourselves to see if we really are collaborate-able. I like to think that I am open minded, and a good listener, but when it comes to creative collaboration I do not think I have allowed a space within me for that. When I have a vision that I want to manifest, it is hard for me to dilute that vision by collaborating in an open, honest and equal sense. Perhaps I will someday as I let go of my need to express the purity of my thoughts and feelings.
The closest I get to collaboration is to share ideas and feelings about my work with others, and let their feedback roll around inside me until it comes out again as an original thought.
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Permalink Reply by gigi mederos on -
I believe the collaborator's works need to be at the same quality level before they attempt to work together. That being said, it becomes interesting if you have different ways of approaching a project - but for this the collaborators need to be flexible, have good communication skills, respect each other's work and most definitely have a sense of humor. It is also nice to be able to learn different techniques from each other, so creative generosity is a bonus. I find that it is a lot more manageable to collaborate with just one other artist - I have seen some group projects become a not-so-pleasant experience.
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Permalink Reply by Devika on
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Gigi, you sound very patient and understanding! Maybe patience is a key feature of a successful collaboration, especially when coming together from different places.
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Permalink Reply by gigi mederos on
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I consider myself understanding, but sometimes really need to work on my patience; but, yes, I believe patience is an essential element - as you point out - "when coming together from different places", particularly resonant when there are cultural and approach differences.
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Permalink Reply by Marcy Arlin on -
For me there are two elements and one rule: Element 1: communicate, communicate and communicate Element 2: Never assume you know your collaborator's agenda or cultural method. One rule: relax (stolen from a Tai Chi teacher). It has been important to ask questions and allow your collaborators to ask you questions. Explain what you are doing and why, and then explain again I once told a director from eastern europe about the New York system of rehearsals, actor issues, etc, due to low budgets and day jobs, very different from where he came from, He heard it but didn't believe me as it seemed absurd (which it sort of is). So every so often during the rehearsal process, I re explained it.
As to not assume, when I collaborate abroad, there are cultural differences in the way people work (like hanging lights, even), that I learned not to get upset when it wasn't done the way I was used to or in the time frame I was used to, so I had to learn how they did it, Which leads me to my maxim: RELAX. It will happen; everyone wants it to happen. You are there because you love your art!
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Permalink Reply by gigi mederos on
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Go Marcy! I'd work with you any time!
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Permalink Reply by Devika on
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very wise, Marcy! It is probably possible to come to a successful collaboration even if we don't ever fully understand the other way of thinking, as long as we know that the intentions are right, yes?
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Permalink Reply by Alan Francis Alfon-Rivera on
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1.TRUST
2. RESPECT
3. AGREEMENT
4. SHARED IDEA
5. UNSELFISHNESS
6. GIVE & TAKE
7. SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES
8. DEDICATION
9. WILLINGNESS TO WORK
10.SOME EMOTIONAL, SPIRITUAL, INTELLECTUAL CONNECTION
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