ARTISTS TALKING

# 1 [8 May 2009]

Well here I go, embarking on what will hopefully be an enlightening and interesting journey into how easy or challenging it is to make contact with artists in other countries, making use of the internet predominantly to make connections that will hopefully lead to realising a collaborative piece of work, or works in early June.

I have no connections to these cities, and am wondering where to start.  Last night I did a lot of internet scanning, typing into Google lots of different combinations of words such as art, public art, collaborative, collaboration and artist alongside locations of Siena, Florence, Tuscany, Italy.  I have no idea at present whether what I see is useful or not.  I am presented with websites and information that may be current, or last edited many moons ago; how do you make a judgement based on what you see in front of you on screen? 

I shall start sending out some speculative e-mails and see what I get back.

# 2 [10 May 2009]

Having committed my idea into words and placed them in the public domain I have started to wonder if I am doing the right thing.  This seems a daunting challenge, one that I have all sorts of hopes and ideas for, but can only really work if I can make connections with people who share a common interest and are willing to share time and ideas. 

I have wandered from website to website this weekend, following a journey through interesting and thought provoking information, passing swiftly over those that hold no appeal and starting afresh with another Google page when it all dries up.  These journeys intrigue me as much as a map, how do we select what to follow; what is it that captures our eye and entices us in?

My compact (yes, cheap!) map and guidebook arrived swiftly via Amazon yesterday and I poured over the mapped layouts of Florence and Siena and the tiny printed lettering I squint over which gives the walkways and roads the names which are familiar to those who live there or visit often.  I wonder how much of the history of these places is defined in the meanings of the names; when did they first get named as they are now; have names changed over time?   Do they define the activites which take place, do they reflect a history which is no longer evident? 

I have sent my first message to a complete stranger; someone who blogs about her life in Florence and fantastically, (in between finishing cutting the hedge and collecting my daughter from a friends party) I received a reply with a suggested name to make contact with. 

I feel like a celebration is required - just receiving a reply was a small success, although I know there is still a long way to go . . .

# 3 [11 May 2009]

Why is it always so late in the evening when you are desperate for sleep and one last thought hits you that you really must finish, or think through, or consider before you finally switch off the technology and try to empty your head before sleep catches you up?I have spent all day working in my day job looking at spreadsheets until my head really hurts, my eyes are fed up of seeing squares and numbers and I am desperate to progress with my challenge and find it's too late really to constructively do anything. I've looked over the Wirral Met project blog to see what has been added since they returned from Utah; the images of the artist's books look fantastic, I can't wait to hear all about it.

I looked through Emily Speed's blog last night, which I find a captivating read.   I agree with her sentiments about blogging; I find that it does sharpen your thought process and it makes you look deeper into what you are doing.  For me there is often an imaginary other when I am writing; I try to converse with them to clarify my thoughts and find my hands waving around to seek out the words I am looking for.   I know; someone lock me up!

# 4 [13 May 2009]

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.

# 5 [14 May 2009]

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 . . .

# 6 [17 May 2009]

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

# 7 [18 May 2009]

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.

# 8 [21 May 2009]

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.

# 9 [22 May 2009]

phew; tired, reflective, elated

We have started discussions about collaboration in the last few days and have also started to give and share ideas which is great.  We are trying out Google Groups and Google Documents to share the information we find and it seems to be working, although early days yet.  At least we have a shared workspace where things are, which is incredibly valuable when you are working remotely from each other.

Had my first interview today for a creative project which sounds fabulous and will be intensively collaborative; everything's crossed for Tuesday . . .

# 10 [24 May 2009]

I've been thinking; at what point where two or more people work together towards a shared outcome can that be defined as collaboration?

I recall from a management training course in my distant past that business teams can be said to go through these stages; forming, storming, norming, performing (and finally adjourning).   Is this similar to the process of collaboration in some ways?

Do the individuals who are collaborating have to have gone through similar stages together to truly describe their work as collaborative? 

And is there a leader in a collaboration? 

Could it be possible to have both a collaborative and individual practice?

Hmmm, food for thought.  Comments welcomed . . .