Collaboration, Part 2

There was no Part 1. When it comes to collaboration, explaining how you began is more difficult than showing where you finished. And so I have hesitated to write about the community art project that I have spent most of my artistic and administrative energy on this summer, now known as we. art., until after the project was more or less complete.

What I can say about the origins of this project: My dear friend Mari and I went out for a beer one night. In the dim light of one of Chicago's best beer gardens, we brainstormed a a process by which we hoped to involve some members of our shared community in a visual art project. We drafted this initial idea on the back of a napkin. Less than two weeks later, we had a plan and participants. Two months after that, this collaboration displayed thirteen 12" x 12" paintings, all made in collaboration. Each of thirteen collaborators participant was responsible for 2 small pieces, which were displayed next to each other in the row. In theory, the hand of each participant could be noticed across the work of two pieces. Everyone used canvas as a support, but the participants used a variety of 2-dimensional media: charcoal, oil, acrylic, collage, mixed media, etc.

Collaborating partners were chosen randomly; it was only coincidence that Mari and I worked together. My other collaborator, Susan, happens to be a friend and I was also delighted to have the opportunity to work with her. It is important to note that Susan began our collaborative piece, passed it to me, and then I passed it back to her, after which she returned it to me, and I ultimately finished the piece. I began the piece with Mari, and the same process ensued. I will have more to write about the collaborative creative process for this project, and in general, in the future.

At present, I want to share the work that I created with my collaborators. A more detailed description of the project, as well as images of other participants' work can be found on the we. art. blog or flickr site.



"universal. thread."

Susan Raedeke
Laura Wetter



"whole. arrival."

Laura Wetter
Mari Lamp

BANP #002, July 22nd and 23rd

I'm very proud to once again lend my meager support to Buy Art Not People for their #002 show. (BANP) is an initiative by artists to raise awareness and resources to combat modern slavery (aka Human Trafficking). BANP held its first event in December of 2010. I donated the collage Green Economy to the show, and I'm happy to say that it sold to the benefit of the Not For Sale Campaign.

BANP #002 differs in both scope and format from #001. Over 100 pieces, all completed on similar 6"x 6" boards, will be for sale. The Friday night ticket price (only $30.00) includes the purchase of one piece of art for all attendees, as well as the usual gallery good times, live music, and informative talks.

An added fun feature is that all the work will be anonymous; artists were instructed to sign the backs of the pieces. If you want to get the piece of your choosing (I assume it will be mine, hehe), come early. If you can't make it Friday, the work will still be on view on Saturday afternoon from 12-2.

Summer is for Street Festivals and Collaboration

I wanted share with everyone an unexpected creative experience that I had in the recent past. Last month I visited New York City. I had an ecstatic first few hours, dodging in and out of a few galleries and happening upon a street festival. This was May, and the beautiful weather brought out crowds of beautiful New Yorkers.

Thanks to The Abrons Arts Center, which set up a free textiles booth for the public, we spent the the last hour of the late afternoon delving into bolts of fabric and spools of yarn. With the energy of the Lower East Side surging around us, and a mid-May breeze softening the air, we cut and tied soft sculptures of jersey, muslin, and nylon.

My fellow festival-goer and good friend, always an inspiring collaborator, and I found ourselves drawn to similar colors and shapes as we responded to the day's events, particularly the art we had recently viewed. Our sculptures were informed, primarily, by the work of Matthew Rich and his piece Slash. I wanted to share this work, because I do think that we were both processing it's effect on us, and our final "products," rudimentary and crude as they may be, do reflect this.

I really can't predict how or if this event will have lasting impact on my work, or my friend's work, but it was rejuvenating and therapeutic. I'm planning some take part in a few official art collaborations this summer, and I hope that all who participate will experience something similar to our afternoon with the fabric booth.

I also expect to post images and reflections on the creative process, particularly as it relates to community interaction. To be continued...