BLANK CANVAS COLLABORATION PROJECT

PROPOSAL 2005

What is the Blank Canvas Collaboration Project (BCCP)?

     BCCP involves artists in a collaborative project that shares the creative process with the public. Five accomplished artists in selected cities around the world will collaborate to create a series of 15 paintings at each gallery exhibition. Intended as an ongoing traveling exhibition, the collaborative process will be between a different group of artists in each city.  One artist will be chosen from the previous exhibition and travel to the next city to collaborate with the new group.

      The opportunity is created for artists to inspire each other and push themselves beyond their limits creating works that explore what happens when a Realist and an Abstract Expressionist, for example, meet on the same canvas.

The Artists

      The artists selected will have a developed aesthetic sense, work well with colour, composition, and use a variety of techniques. The challenge is both exciting and difficult as it is important for each artist to be sensitive to the others mark making and emotions while maintaining a positive atmosphere.  The artists become explorers in each other’s worlds, reaching inside, breaking down barriers and connecting with each other. This will create an exhilarating environment for everyone involved. 

The Galleries

      The gallery could be a public, community or commercial gallery but must be a compatible partner for the project. As the pieces will be painted in the gallery, the public will have a chance to view the paintings as they change and to observe the creative process.  Both the gallery involved and the artists will benefit from the possibility of attracting a new audience through this project.

 The Exhibition

      There will be a two-week working period in the gallery in order for the artists to develop the work in an unhurried manner. At the end of the two-week period, the completed work will be displayed for sale at an opening reception. The exhibition will then remain on display for a period of time determined by the gallery.

      During the two-week work period each artist will display examples of their own work in the gallery while the collaborative work is being created. Artist’s statements and Bios will be collected in a booklet and made available during the entire project time. Local poets, musicians and writers will be invited to perform while the creative process is in action. Local merchants will be invited to participate by supplying refreshments to the artists and the public during the event.

Media

      All local newspapers, radio and television stations will be notified of this project through Press Releases. Artists will be available for interviews. A copy of the documentation film explained below will be available upon completion.

Documentation

      Film and still photo documentation will take place. This will include in depth artist interviews, the development of the collaborative pieces, gallery installation, gallery curator interviews, artist’s at work and public reaction. It is essential for the filmmaker to have a strong vision and the necessary skills and equipment to create a film that provides an interesting documentation of this experience.