Some early thoughts on collaboration.
Had a chat with Eero last night -we were talking about brainstorming and how, if you’re used to it, it’s easy to not realise that many people haven’t been taught the basics – you know, every idea is heard, none are criticised, you’re safe to be as outlandish or far-fetched as it comes and so on.
He explained how so much valuable time can be wasted with ‘this probably seems like a stupid idea’ or ‘you’re probably not going to like this’ – sound familiar?
I’ve done much brainstorming over the years, in professional situations where I’m brainstorming ideas alongside people I don’t know. I’m used to it.
But Eero pointed out that art is different, since when you offer up an idea, you’re offering up something quite deep inside of you – it’s a little bit of your soul, really.
So it’s important that people feel safe.
He stressed to me the importance of getting to know the people you’re working with – so that you can trust each other, before any brainstorming on projects can begin.
If I’ve learned one thing this week, it’s that it’s easy to assume too much – and that proper time needs to be spent between you, to feel comfortable and familiar and safe with the people you’re working with.
Eero’s done much collaborative art work over the years and I think there’s an awful lot to learn from him – and from the experience of this project.
I also learned today that the KGB really did some nasty stuff. I knew this in the abstract, but the KGB museum in Vilnius really does knock the hard facts into your head.
A free organ concert in the baroque St Casimir Church this lunchtime was packed, with people standing and sitting on the floors once the pews were full up. Uplifting.
