An interactive community investigation of the relationship of meaning, video and painting; what it is like to participate in the creation of art?

with Laura Summer, Sampsa Pirtola and public participation

What is it like to participate in the creation of art??

 Laura Summer (painter) and Sampsa Pirtola (video artist) have previously created collaborative works of painting and video, which have included audience participation at culminating performances. In “Winging It” this interactive component will be taken a step further, as we invite community collaboration into the work from the beginning. We will start with an empty room and over the course of one month will create paintings and video in relationship to the theme “angels and other states of being”. The community will be invited to visit often and see how things are progressing. Those who are interested will also be encouraged to paint, draw and work with collage and printmaking, and to become part of the ongoing video footage that is created.

 This way of working is experimental and we are excited to share it with the community, thus the title “Winging It”.

 The image of the angel as we commonly know it is a prominent symbol in the Western world and beyond, from fine art to pop-culture. Angels appear in everyday language and expressions, and widely in visual culture. Although few people claim to see or experience angels (and generally their experiences are not held in high regard), the imagery and meaning that angels represent has become commonplace. This we believe gives both creative possibilities and fascinating challenges to our project.

 We are interested in stepping beyond these preconceived notions to explore how people relate to the different qualities of this phenomena we call "angels" when invited to engage this subject artistically. We intend to open a space for observation, creation and qualitative experience, where together we can watch what organically emerges in the living moment. We are inspired by the work and ideas of artist Joseph Beuys (1921-1986) and his concept of Social Sculpture and The Extended Concept of Art, which we apply in our process - bearing in mind the core of Beuys' ideas: Every human being is an artist. 

 Across various religions and spiritual traditions, and in popular culture, angels are commonly understood to be guardians and guides of humanity. They are portrayed as beings of service, acting for the greater good rather than their own interest. In this time of global turmoil and uncertainty it can be life sustaining for people to work artistically, and this quality of dedicated service offers a deeply relevant subject to work with creatively. What does it look like to connect with a sense of transcendent support? Are human beings also capable of a similar orientation of service? Can we think and act for the greater good, and as each other’s helpers? What does art have to do with this, and how can the creative process help us experience, and potentially cultivate these qualities?