Writing Challenge Day 14
PLAY FOR A DAY MINI COLLAB
CLICK, and the post was live. Now, wait and see who responds. Over the years, I watched my peers participate in group exhibitions, collaborations, and startups. I was genuinely excited for them, celebrating their successes. However, it also weighed on me that I was never invited. Perhaps it reflected my journey through life, where I often heard about events only through stories of how wonderful, fun, and exciting they had been. But today, I am taking a brave step, putting myself out there, and creating opportunities for connection and collaboration.
Second Space would be home for a month. A whole 200m² of particle board floors, high ceilings, sturdy beams, a wall of mirrors, and high windows flooding the space with light. Instead of building a new body of work, I decided to put my money where my mouth is. For months, I have been suggesting to my peers that we should get together and experiment. My call-out read, “Play for the day mini collab.” There was a link to a calendar with 15 preselected days ready to be booked. The post went live at 7 pm. By 11 pm, I checked the calendar. Even with one booking, I would have been happy, but to my surprise, only three spots were left, and they filled up before 9 am the next day. There were even several messages asking to be put on the waiting list.
On takeover day, I moved in with a range of unconventional materials and mark-making tools, including a climbing rope and mannequins. I cozied the place up with plants, a rug, comfy seats, and a couple of large worktables. A journey of process-based art making was about to unfold. I was so excited. Let’s play!
To set the stage for play, I created a card deck divided into six areas: space, substrates, implements, actions, and materials. Each set had a prompt related to that area. We took turns flipping a card from each pile, brainstorming word associations, and finding common ground to explore. I introduced everyone to the tools, materials, and equipment available, and we saw where we were drawn to. We went back to work on concept ideas, testing, and spent the rest of the day creating a sculpture/installation that hit all six prompts. The focus was not on the final product but on the creative process itself—exploring, experimenting, and discovering together.
Showcase Project 24: “Play for a day mini collab”
Throughout the collaborative process, I observed diverse approaches from each participant. Some focused on the objects and the spaces they created, while others embraced a highly interactive and organic process, building trust and exchanging ideas freely. Each collaboration presented challenges, whether it was guiding away from obvious solutions, organizing the environment, or addressing personal discomforts. Despite these hurdles, the experience was filled with meaningful connections, unexpected insights, uncontrollable laughter and profound learning moments, which made the "Play for a Day" residency so successful.
The showcase was a fabulous success, far beyond my hopes. The immersive works received so much interaction and fabulous feedback. Everyone was thrilled about the concept and the 11 artworks delivered in only one day. This residency taught me to embrace the unpredictability of the creative process and find joy in the shared journey with my collaborators. It reinforced my belief in the magic that lies within each of us—adapting to each participant's approach and focusing on the process rather than the outcome. I was able to foster an environment where creativity thrived, and meaningful connections were made. This journey was not only about creating art but also about personal growth and discovering the beauty of collaborative creation.
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