Natural Collaboration

In Natural DeCollection on December 30, 2010 at 12:58 pm

Space Available

Space Available
I’m fortunate to have received a collaboration recently. In the past I might have referred to this opp as a commission. But I wish to believe it’s something more.

I’m at a point in my life where all my professional efforts as a creative are in flux. I’ve devoted the past 30 years or so committed to being the best designer I’m capable of being – all the while continuing to dabble, semi-seriously, in the more personal arts. Throughout this time my focus was on more easily realized commerce. I’m pleased with my production as a designer. The efforts have taught me important lessons in how to (and how not to) do business. The collaborative aspect of design is, perhaps, the most rewarding. But the stars need to align exactly for a project to manifest perfectly. All too often designers are faced with circumstances that don’t allow their truest expression.

My efforts of late are meant to add a balance that tips the scales more evenly – one that favors a vision unobstructed by the typical demands of commercial arts. I’ll never abandon design. It’s in my blood. I’ll make any adjustments necessary to make a deadline and satisfy the client. I’m confident the results will exceed expectations. I spend a great deal of energy understanding the audience – and, just as importantly, the client.

What I’m seeking lately is a hybrid art. One that encompasses the collaborative nature of design with the honesty inherent in the more personal fine arts.

The image above is a record of a space ideal for an artist. It’s empty. It deserves something visually engaging. The shelves, filled with objects and books important to the owner, provide an excellent framework.

The owner of the space could hang a poster, framed to perfection, to fill the void. Or they could find an interesting piece at a gallery that fits handsomely, coming just close enough to possessing the ideal proportions.

Fortunately, the owner of this space was open to something more. I went to our meeting expecting to encourage the purchase of an existing work. While en route the creative in me – part designer / collaborator, part artist seeking trust-in-vision – realized this was a chance to test my new approach.

I would encourage a portrait. Not a facsimile of a person. Not a picture of someone in the manner we generally expect. But a record of a time and a place that reflects the person. This expression was to capture elements of the environment belonging to my collaborator. In approaching the artwork in this way my intent was for the idea realized to be naturally significant to my deserving art patron / partner.

We studied the space together. We talked. We considered elements in the environment, inside and out, that had particular conceptual and visual appeal. We had fun. My collaborator stressed that this was not a match-my-couch task. An influence too strong, she feared, would steer me in directions not from my heart. I assured her that this would not be the case. I welcomed the dialogue. I was learning, she was learning. We were participating.

While considering all options we both came to the conclusion that many of her things with potential held a value too personal. Old family portraits – beautifully antiqued and distressed with natural aging – were too much about the people. Not universal enough. Other objects, glass vases and ceramics, could have been incorporated successfully if they were deemed significant. But I didn’t get this sense. My collaborator held no extreme sentimental value to these possessions. She wanted as much of my interests incorporated into the art as I could offer while still remaining true to the purpose of the creative partnership. The perfect client!

We talked about the natural environment. The wondrous beauty in organic forms. She had a garden. Yes, it was winter. But with a selective eye, we agreed, beauty could be discovered. By using elements of her land, her cultivation, we could satisfy her interests as well as mine.

This will be a two part recount. I’m sharing a rough edit of the day’s take below – I’ll use some or all of these to form a final work. The individual images are the result of our creative collaboration. Each exposure happened on this day. They are from a time and place – and an experience – that can be remembered.

The resulting final image will represent something more, hopefully, than the singular things pictured – and something more because all the authors responsible for its realization are acknowledged – me, she, and the natural powers that be. I’ll follow up soon with part two.