I have preconceptions about the Creative Innovation module as I am responsible for delivering a similar module through my teaching position and the nature of collaborative working brings unique challenges for my students.  I am concerned that I will experience similar scenarios!  These can include;

• Unequal distribution of workload
• Inconsistent attendance at meetings
• Disconnection in the team due to conflicts in personality
• Differences in overall ambition/vision for the outcome
• Failure to ‘deliver’ at key points in the project timeline, negatively impacting upon the development of the project on a whole 

The session commences with our lead professor, Alex Coles who introduces us to projects in which he has worked collaboratively, namely ‘The E.P Series’ (Economist Plaza or Extended Play).

I am engaged by Alex’s discourse in which he introduces us to his work as, despite being taught by Alex in the previous term, I had little knowledge of his practice.  His dialogue was refreshingly honest regarding the challenges that collaborative creative practice brings and I valued his advice.  He encouraged us to consider longevity following his experience of leading the team on the E.P series.  I resonated with the challenges he had faced when keeping up the pace, traction, momentum, enthusiasm and motivation for a series of works.   Especially when a team of collaborators are looking to you to feed them ideas and directions to progress with their own work.  I have recognised a similar pattern in my own work style, throwing myself into new projects with a gusto and passion that I fail to maintain across the course of the project lifespan! 

Alex went on to point out that in hindsight, perhaps the 6 – 7 year break he took from his own practice following the EP Series was unwise.  Taking this time to focus energies on his teaching practice, I know all too well that the juggle of managing one’s own practice with the demands of teaching is no easy feat!  However, Alex did embark once again upon his own creative practice when winning a contract with Penguin Books for the publication “Tainted Love” by Alex Coles (soon to be released in the UK).

The theme of which is around the underlying message of sadness and heartbreak behind some of the worlds most well known love songs.  As the front cover is projected upon the wall of the Create Lab, I am struck by the bold graphics that are engaging and seem fitting with the title.  I consider the importance carefully branding projects to engage with and resonate with one’s audience.

As he ponders upon the contrast of the two projects Alex acknowledges with a refreshing honesty that he prefers to work on one off projects rather than series as it keeps it exciting for him.  Ideas are kept fresh, and he gets the chance to work with different people regularly.  I am more open to the challenges that this collaborative project will bring following Alex’s lecture – aware that I will work with my team for a short 12 weeks, I believe that I can maintain my enthusiasm for the project and be open to the positive opportunities that collaboration brings rather than focussing upon the negative of my past experience! 

Janine Sykes is a module tutor who is new to post.  I have no experience of her practice and am inspired to hear about her work with the organisation, East Street Arts in Leeds.

Their work around finding space and an infra-structure for artists strikes a chord with me as my own research is informed by social developments, namely our ageing population.  I am influenced by her ‘values’ driven approach to collaboration – placing the emphasis upon the ‘partnering’ of individuals who strive for the same ‘greater good’ outcomes.

One of the projects she discusses is “Seeding Art Currency” (Art Hostel, 2018) in which the project was decided by participants.  East Street Arts Hostel is housed within an old seed factory.  The project reaches out to global citizens who have stayed at the hostel to unearth what creative influences they took from their stay.  A pin is placed upon an electronic map and these pins will be represented by seeds when creating a real-world mural upon the hostel wall.  This curation as a blended practice – both digital and physical – is of interest to me when considering ways in which I can communicate my final outcomes. Janine’s values in placing citizens at the centre of her art practice and encouraging them to be involved in mean making resonates with my own research themes in which research participants of the fourth age contribute to my output.

The term “Ideation” – or brain storming – is a term that I am familiar with but can see the value in being reminded of the necessity to free-wheel with ideas.  The idea of working on quantity not quality of ideas in these early stages with the group doesn’t phase me but then I am confident to contribute my ideas, however I can see that some team members may not be so keen to have their voice heard.  “Critical voice is the enemy of creativity” is a point well made by Janine when attempting to encourage a ‘safe’ space for team members to not feel intimidated.

Exploring different ways to ‘do business/economy’ is an aspect of collaborative working that I had not considered but as Janine explains the term and the values of ‘Social Sustainability’ I am reminded of fashion brands such as Patagonia and Stand 4 Socks when ‘working generously’.  I am hopeful that my fellow team mates share my values when designing a project that will ‘do good in the world’.

 Reference List;

Art Hostel. (2018). Seeding Art Currency. Art Hostel. https://arthostel.org.uk/2018/09/25/seeding-art-currency/

Coles, A. (2023). Tainted Love. Sternberg Press.

East Street Arts. (2023). WHAT DO WE DO? INTERVENTION THROUGH ART!. East Street Arts. https://www.eaststreetarts.org.uk/

Leeds Arts University. (2023). Staff; Janine Sykes [Photograph]. Leeds Arts University. https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/about-us/staff/staff/janine-sykes/

Sternberg Press. (2023). The EP Series [Photograph]. Sternberg-Press.com. https://www.sternberg-press.com/series/ep/