At the inaugural CRITgroup meeting in November 2011 the possibility of a collaborative project was raised. After one year of Creating, Reflecting, Investigating and Talking, we recently presented our first collaboration, Creative Whispers.
We are interested in investigating the perceived differences between ‘art’ and ‘craft’, as this has been a feature of our conversations in several meetings. How does the apparent need to ‘label’ oneself as a particular kind of practitioner (a ‘photographer’, a ‘craft worker’, etc.) affect individual practices and how do those descriptions of discipline relate to differing methods of producing work? To get started, we are running three ‘mini projects’, which we will use to pin down and agree a clear research question to inform the next working stages of the project. The idea of these is that by introducing particular boundaries or criteria we will flush out key aspects of our respective practices, which will equip us in our collaborative investigations. The second project is titled Crafting by Committee.
We are interested in investigating the perceived differences between ‘art’ and ‘craft’, as this has been a feature of our conversations in several meetings. How does the apparent need to ‘label’ oneself as a particular kind of practitioner (a ‘photographer’, a ‘craft worker’, etc.) affect individual practices and how do those descriptions of discipline relate to differing methods of producing work? To get started, we are running three ‘mini projects’, which we will use to pin down and agree a clear research question to inform the next working stages of the project. The idea of these is that by introducing particular boundaries or criteria we will flush out key aspects of our respective practices, which will equip us in our collaborative investigations. The second project is titled Crafting by Committee.
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Crafting By Committee is a shorter, three session project taking us up to the beginning of 2014 in which each collaborator began by producing a brief project proposal, situated within their current practice. The rest of the group acted as a panel who, upon hearing the proposal, specified particular criteria for how the project must progress. The practitioner must then follow these instructions precisely and return to the panel with the outcome. The hope is that we can use these pieces to reflect upon how decision making within different practices can impact upon outcomes but also be an intrinsic part of the creative process. Again, these will be research pieces, starting points for potential development and pieces of work in their own right.
The final presentation of outcomes in response to feedback based on the Initial Proposals is recorded below; |
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Initial Proposal: Christine Wilcox-Baker 'Biodiversity of Garden Flora and Fauna'
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COMMITTEE INSTRUCTIONS:
Produce a ‘Performance Map’ about the proposed subject matter (diversity of flora and fauna) ARTIST RESPONSE:
The artist has produced a series of videos looking at natural movements in the garden environment as a 'performance' of nature. Suggestions for developing this into a final outcome include a single-take film exploring this, an edited sequence or a film possibly including a raccoon glove puppet character exploring the garden.
COMMITTEE FEEDBACK:
Allow the raw footage to be physically influenced by the ‘performance’ of nature. |
FINAL OUTCOME:
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DISCUSSION:
Christine produced two point of view videos in response to the instruction to make a performance map of her garden in which nature informed her choice of material. In filming, she allowed the movement of nature and sounds of ambiance direct the video and to be the performance. She specifically chose to use a portrait format for the first video, which focused on living features of the environment. In the second video, Christine walked around the garden and this became both the ‘map’ and ‘performance’. She noted that as her first time using and editing video, This was a significant challenge and break from her usual methods of working. The committee felt the first video encouraged focus on specific specimens while the second had more narrative but that the broader field of view made it harder to pick out these key features. It was also agreed that the amateur nature of the video made it more personal and engaging. It was suggested that her personal connection with space came across very clearly and it was possible to identify a painterly approach, especially in areas such as lighting and attention to detail. Christine felt that the experience hasn't left her considering further use of video, though she found the process interesting. She enjoyed filming, not editing the work and would now like to go on to make paintings of stills from the footage.
Initial Proposal: Annabeth Orton 'Cupcake Karma'
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COMMITTEE INSTRUCTIONS:
Proceed with project conforming to following criteria: ARTIST RESPONSE:
Cupcake Karma Project Proposal
COMMITTEE FEEDBACK:
Proceed with proposal removing all verbal contact with recipient. |
FINAL OUTCOME:
DISCUSSION:
Annabeth shared a 15 minute documentary video detailing the results of her activities in which she left semi-anonymous cakes for six of her neighbours with an invitation to respond. The committee felt the ‘video diary’ nature of the document made it personal, communicating actions that anyone might have the same results from. It was agreed to be an entertaining video to watch, which kept the viewers’ interest as there was clearly going to be an outcome of some kind. It was noticed that the initial intention of exploring trust between strangers was not really addressed due to lack of feedback but that other equally important issues were highlighted. It was also suggested that there was now in fact two pieces of work, the activity and the documentary, which stands alone. Annabeth conceded that she is unlikely to continue the project in this format but that there was still some scope in carrying out the original proposal, which would probably be better informed as a result.
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Initial Proposal: James Sharp 'Scrap Book'
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COMMITTEE INSTRUCTIONS:
Proceed with project conforming to following criteria: ARTIST RESPONSE:
COMMITTEE FEEDBACK:
Final outcome should not be in traditional book format, possible to rearrange pages, no use of collage. |
FINAL OUTCOME:
DISCUSSION:
James presented a reused box containing sheets of handmade paper. He reported a reluctance to carry out the task as he knew it would be too labour intensive to be included in his range of saleable items. The process would be too expensive in terms of time to make and include in his journal range at a reasonable price. The committee was supportive of what was described as a very interesting outcome, which felt genuinely different from the work they had seen from James so far. James found the exercise interesting to encourage him in pushing away from his usual practice. He felt that he had learned about changing thought processes more than practical developments, but that aspects of his Stage One response might well be used in his work further down the line.
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Initial Proposal: Renate Wendel 'Figurative and Abstract Portraiture'
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COMMITTEE INSTRUCTIONS:
Make portraits of pieces of music with a camera. |
ARTIST RESPONSE:
Gershwin; Rhapsody in Blue
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COMMITTEE FEEDBACK:
Devise a method of allowing the music to physically generate the outcome. |
The artist was unable to attend in January.
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Initial Proposal: Shirley and David Hammond 'Collaboration'
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COMMITTEE INSTRUCTIONS:
Produce a research stage prior to the proposed project in which one artist explores the concept of ‘Changing Economy’ and the other that of ‘Traditional Culture’. The outcome of the research may be in any format but must not directly reference China or architectural structures. |
ARTIST RESPONSE:
"We
have taken some photos showing dereliction in various forms (pound shops, for
sale, lettings, buskers, beggars) around Manchester and intend using Movie Maker. Then over play a sound track depicting an economic recovery (news items,
stock exchange)"
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COMMITTEE FEEDBACK:
Research stages must be produced individually. |
The artists were unable to attend in January.Their intention
is “To compare homelessness with luxury living, or
poverty and affluence, through photographs, creating a film using windows movie
maker. This was to have a sound track running alongside it highlighting the
extremes.”
Updates will follow. |
Initial Proposal: Kevin Linnane 'Manchester and Water'
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COMMITTEE INSTRUCTIONS:
Create a representation of the proposed subject matter (Manchester and Water) without using photographic processes (including digital/video). ARTIST RESPONSE:
The artist has produced a series of ambient sound recordings from canal mechanisms to be combined into a single sound piece.
COMMITTEE FEEDBACK:
Produce an outcome that does not require electricity (including batteries!) to be displayed |
Dada Manchester 1
Things kick as the city decks its halls Bright red decorations stretch out Manchester's main streets Square plays Dancers performing Quarter's Contemporary Art |
Dada Manchester 2
There are some places in a city Some you're just glad are there Dome is still operated by rope Thin spiral staircase Survived technological advances It's not just the seven-sided Ghosts of the men who traded there Frozen on the board that hangs above Mancunian cheer that runs through Have a cup of tea William Royle saved it from being turned And women of Manchester' for refusing Fell into disrepair As its Shakespearean gardens Now on a brass plate |
Dada Manchester 3
Vibrant and integral part Play in this process But will also allow A specific region or nationality Mix religion with the culture To create their own unique Certainly different than those It’s important to note that it has Emerging obstacles, however That campaigned against the Government and society To address national opportunities Serve the common cause For interaction and cooperation Benefit the entire Part of British society |
DISCUSSION:
Kevin produced three Dada poems linking to historical places in Manchester, taking the form of stories about visuals rather than visuals in themselves. The process was described as akin to taking a photo without the photo. Though he has made similar before, he wouldn’t have used it in this project without the committee’s instructions. He had planned to submit just one poem but found it challenging to edit the content The committee enjoyed receiving the outcome and recognised a clear departure from the initial proposal. There was also the suggestion of further potential in the work which might be used to enrich the original project proposal with an ‘extra layer’, especially given the different possible interpretations.
Further Information:
