People have been asking me for more information about this project so here goes.
The project grew out of a discussion on twitter about the nature of artistic collaborations, were they good or bad, what were the pitfalls and benefits.
A similar discussion was taking place as to the value of the arts, particularly at this time of deep cuts in funding.
I was also endeavouring to entertain my 3 year old daughter by helping her make tissue paper butterflies.
And so the project was born.
I want collaborators to physically make something, and then post that to me. I would then receive something that the collaborators had handled, had actually made, something that exists in the real world.
(at the time of writing this is now the third draft of this post as the previous ones disappeared into the ether thanks to who knows what computer glitch)
I wanted something that would not take up too much of peoples time and could be made with readily available materials.
The tissue paper butterflies are fragile and care had to be taken in handling them.
The subject of the piece ‘What do you think good art is?’ will encourage a wide range of responses and I believe each collaborator will have a different, yet equally valuable, opinion.
Care has to be taken when writing, or drawing, on the butterflies reflecting the care each collaborator has for the subject. That care will be reflected in the care I will have to take with each butterfly when I receive it.
Everybody will be collaborating equally.
Every butterfly will be in the final piece.
The final piece will be displayed in public.
Every collaborator will be invited to see the finished piece.
I hope that answers some of the questions and I am always happy to answer more.
