Hi everyone
There have been some fascinating threads and examples of collaborative
enterprises by members of the list. I have been collaborating with
musicians, scientists, programmers and poets on many projects and events
over the years and have found each of the experiences to contain compromises
and challenges that were difficult and magical to work through. It has been
interesting to create performances, texts and art out of a mesh of
negotiated compromises, surrenders and inspirations. The gap between
expectation and accomplishment has been an interesting site of navigation in
these joint enterprises. Flexibility, which is sometimes difficult for
artists, ends up being a core requirement of the partnership. Often I find
myself attributing capacities to the other person that they may not have and
vice versa, and as a result, sets of limitations and expectations end up as
an unspoken grain in the final achievement. I am attempting to avoid the
word product but am finding it difficult. Another unspoken grain of
collaboration is the generosity of participants. Sometimes collaboration is
used to fulfil the vision of one person who must then negotiate with the
generosity of others, sometimes it is a group organism that does not have
more than a vague idea of what it will become. What it becomes depends
entirely on the willingness of all to give generously to the collaboration -
time, ideas, skills. I would be interested to hear a reflexive critique from
others. I have been a part of nightmares and wondermares and am waiting for
the next one! Collaboration is the new way of life and I am interested in
knowing what your thoughts are in the difference between 'collaboration' and
'community'.
Best Wishes
JFK - Jayne Fenton Keane
www.poetinresidence.com