raining again; cleaning & cleansing
I have made contact with someone who lives in Florence and has a deep passion for places. We have started to talk about the practical aspects of sharing ideas which is a great start. I finally got round to putting some of my thoughts onto an e-mail at some unearthly hour this morning whilst no doubt most sensible people were tucked up in bed. It feels good though; firstly to realise you have ideas and also to find time to articulate them.
I am hoping that another friend will also join us, if time will allow.
There's another interesting document on the public art online website about collaboration by David Patten. It makes a good point that some people just don't make good collaborators, but I think the process of trying teaches you more about you, and how you prefer to operate. It pushes the boundaries where we begin to feel uncomfortable; and that can only be a good thing.
Still . . . silence
I have been researching in the last few days and found a new Tate Research Paper, Border Crossing by Felicity Allen which reflects on a Tate initiated partnership project called Nahnou-Together . The project started in 2004 and continues today, exploring the shared learning and understanding between young people, artists, curators and educators who have collaborated in Palestine, Syria and London.
The paper reflects on the strength and distinction of the cultural differences between the groups and how those affected the stages of the project to date. It is clear that the project shifts as time progresses; the increased sharing of knowledge and understanding underpins and develops collaborative success, and only comes with time.
Allen also reflects on her own learning:
one must focus on process rather than narrowly defined targets, and the process should refer to the knowledge gained about being prepared to fumble in the dark, to doubt and not to know, as well as to keep listening to theory and looking at practice to help reflection. This includes self-reflection.
For me this seems to be a great starting point for any collaboration; being open to the process, to fumble, doubt, not know, and I feel critically important for me; to reflect.
In such a short timescale it seems impossible to believe that I can achieve true collaboration; perhaps I can hope to develop a good foundation on which to build for future projects.
Sunday.
Rain drips drops fall
still; the silence of an inbox devoid of responses. Re-think; more and more and more ideas needed, to find another approach, and fast, in between the daily challenges of living, creating, being.
speed is of the essence; the blue tits seem to understand with their productive to-ing and fro-ing to fill those tiny beaks which must be constantly open
the house I see in the tree
I have a reply and I feel elated; someone is interested in working with me! I know; early days, got to see how it goes, but this is exciting – finding someone who has similar interests in places and people as I have.
Despite the grim day and chilly breeze which wanders in through my open window every now and again I sense another small moment of achievement.
And so my thoughts now are these:
– How many people should I hope could get involved? I think given the timescales and the challenges of sharing ideas then smaller is probably better – maybe 3 is a good number?
– What is the best form of communication? e-mail, shared blog, Google Groups/Docs, Skype?
– Does anyone else know the challenges and pitfalls we may face through this process?
– How best to seek and encourage feedback from other artists as this project continues
22 days, and counting . . .
I have spent the day at work desparate to talk about my ideas for my Tuscany visit with someone. It's so frustrating when everyone glazes over at the first mention of something creative or conceptual and would rather discuss output capacity or technical process change.
After tea we had a very short meeting at school about a forthcoming visit of exchange children from America (perhaps they could have posted the information and spared the 40 or so people the frustration of making the effort to turn up for 12 minutes talking through a document we had been given). I have to say I am very excited about the visiting children, I am intrigued to see and hear their interpretation of where we live seen and experienced through them on their first trip to the UK.
This evening has been spent sending e-mails to people who I have managed to find via Google who are artists or art educators who work/live in Florence and Siena, whilst wondering how it is possible to make that initial contact with someone who may have a similar interest to you without sounding like you are a stalker. The silence of nothing arriving in my inbox is making me feel uncomfortable; but they say that you need to be out of your comfort zone to extend yourself.
I have a new book which arrived from Amazon today: The Piazzas of Florence which is a wonderfully presented exploration of the 'squares' of Florence. It already makes me feel guilty that I am only there for a few hours; yet that is part of the appeal of attempting this project; what can be done in a short timescale?
If anyone does have ideas that might help please let me know.
