Art off

2009

In 2009, I had the unique opportunity to engage in an intellectually stimulating art project conceptualized by curator Sam Bunn and artist Jim Howieson. This project represented an exploration of non-verbal artistic dialogue, where Jim and I alternated daily to create an installation in a studio space, each iteration serving as a response to the other's previous work. This process unfolded over five days, during which we were prohibited from any direct communication outside the realm of our art.

This artistic interchange exemplifies a profound exercise in interpretive and responsive creativity, encapsulating the essence of dialogic aesthetics. It transcends conventional modes of artistic collaboration, venturing into a realm where the artwork itself becomes the sole medium of conversation and expression. The project underscores the potential of art to serve as a conduit for dialogue, embodying a tacit yet profound form of communication.

Each installation acted as both a receptacle and a catalyst for creative thought, inviting a continual reinterpretation and reinvention of the shared space. This dynamic process mirrors the theoretical concepts of intertextuality and the hermeneutic circle, wherein each artistic expression can be viewed as a 'text' that both informs and is informed by the preceding and succeeding 'texts'. The project thus becomes a living narrative, an unfolding story told through the language of visual and spatial art.

In essence, this project was an exploration of the boundaries of artistic collaboration, challenging the artists to engage in a silent yet eloquent dialogue through their creations. It highlights the capacity of art to transcend verbal barriers and communicate complex, layered narratives, fostering a unique form of understanding and connection between the artists.