Community Art & Social Practice

Digital Journal 08

Does socially engaged art imply partnership?

+What does partnership mean to

you?

This week’s questions:

Let’s break it down...

Does socially engaged art imply partnership?

Question 01

NOT NECESSARILY… BUT IT’S BETTER WHEN IT DOES

My short answer:

When thinking about socially engaged art, I don’t think the production of the art or even the process and implementation of it must entail partnership.

Because art can be a reflective process and a response to social topics, I think it can engage people, viewers, and participants without necessarily steering out of partnership.

Example: Guerrilla artIt doesn’t require partnership to evoke

participation or engagement.

Bansky. His original works were largely produced in anonymity and guerrilla style without public notification, yet still remained visually and

socially potent.

Shepard Fairey. Fairey produced the infamous “Hope” poster as a student and individual art project in 2008 with the onset of Barack Obama’s

Presidential campaign.

These were socially engaging and relevant with audiences, but they

originally initiated as individual works.

Here’s the “...but”

1. I think that community art definitely implies partnership.

2. Both community art and socially engaged art can be more effective, potent, and even long-standing when partnerships are formed and capacity is built.

Another look at the guerrilla art example...

Bansky. Because of the popularity of his works and style, publics began to seek Banksy to produce works in their communities. Sponsorships, partnerships, and commissions from organizations, corporations, and

publishers also followed.

Shepard Fairey. As “Hope” became viral, partnerships led the artwork to become the most iconic and widely distributed image and symbol of the

political scene of 2008 and beyond. Such support systems also helped Fairey avoid being sued for the usage of Obama’s image.

What are your thoughts?Do you think socially engaged art require

partnership?

Leave comments and ideas below.

What does partnership mean to you?

Question 02

Partnership

My short answer:

Building and nurturing relationships that will effectively and essentially contribute to the ideation, creation, and/or implementation of an idea.

=

● Defined roles & expectations● Adequate and balanced

contributions and cooperation from all parties

● Positive and healthy relationship/chemistry between partners (compatibility)

● Defined time period for partner participation

● Delegation + not taking on more than one can handle

These make partnerships awesome:● Trust● Mutual respect● Common values/vision/mission● Communication● Shared outcomes● Openness about strengths,

weaknesses, abilities, and capacity

● Following through● Keeping one’s word (honesty)● Keeping track

What would you add?What makes a partnership good to you?

Leave comments and ideas below.

Am I good at partnerships in my practice?

Not the least bit...