Collaboration mega fluff
The press release reads “can 18 disparate Portland artists, writers, designers, art directors, fashion designers and illustrators get together and work as a singular unit to make art? Probably not.”
Hordes of us have been talking and coffee-tabling collaboration as the new salvation, the new -ism, the way to move forward. Generally, I hear gushes and swoons about how Portland has been leaning-in on the forefront of whatever collaborative explosion has happened on this planet. Perhaps that’s because everyone I hear talking about it lives here, because certainly it happens elsewhere.
Thursday (tomorrow) at 5pm my personal experience with collaboration will come to maturity here in Portland. 
Jelly wrote a charming piece on how all this got started, but it seems pertinent to contribute some remarks about the process right before the show opens, because technically, we are still in-process.
So here’s what I’ve learned.
You’ve got to find your people, and when you find your people, reconsider your project. It is difficult to get groups together. I’d love to be all fluffy-rosey about how every step in the process is inspired and cerebral, but the amount of work required to corral working, talented humans, is nothing short of leviathan. Once in-studio though, the perception is that things are getting done. Despite the best efforts of writers, thinkers, makers, and do-ers, it is supremely difficult to find a collective POV. And, if you do, it’s probably boring, because the nature of consensus isn’t interesting. It takes almost the mindset of an anti-social jerk to revolt from the niceties of a group trying to agree. Or, as was our case, a misunderstanding of a joke scribbled on scrap paper, which lead to our central idea.
Even then, as with any good idea, our point-of-view was not received by the group with unanimous affection. There still may be those that absolutely hate it. I find this wildly interesting, and solid. If you go on safari, part of you wishes to get into trouble in the bush. If you come home with no scratches then perhaps you’ve just gone on a packaged tour, not safari.
Despite the bristles and furrowed brows, there was one thing that we could all get behind: One big simple message that each of us contribute to. This was misread at first. We probably thought each of us would contribute to the actual idea, which in essence, is damn near impossible. This is what stalled us for over a month, while trying to talk about execution without having the idea first. This can be frustrating, but we leaned in and held a few create nights in order to flush out our idea. We made stickers with our heads on them so that once all our ideas were tabled, we could simply approve with our face. These were tallied, scanned, and sent back out in preparation for the next meeting.
Finally, we uncovered our mostly-loved concept and POV.
The show opens tomorrow, and we are excited and exhausted. Our partners, wives, and husbands hate us for being in the gallery for so many consecutive nights, but we will be forgiven at exactly 5pm. Hopefully.
But even if we aren’t forgiven, 18 humans created something that one person couldn’t. 18 busy people, that didn’t have time to spare, spared, made, fretted, and showed up. That’s enough, actually, everything else is bonus.
For your next collaboration: use fewer people, find the idea first (if possible), and double the amount of time you’ve budgeted.
Participants:
Jelly Helm
Aaron Rayburn
Jeremy Pelley
Matthew Foster
Fritz Mesenbrink
Chris Hutchinson
Damion Triplett
Jennie Hayes
Kate Bingaman-Burt
Marco Kaye
Mike Giepert
Justin Scrappers Morrison
Driscoll Reid
Jason Sturgill
David Neevel
Taylor Twist
Jimm Lasser
Julia Oh
Hello, Summertime…?
photo via Design Dust
Summertime in Portland is a fickle beast. Even now into July I wore a hoodie and beanie as I sat outside and sipped bourbon on my front porch last night. However when Summer finally comes to the Northwest it is INCREDIBLE. The weather is perfect and that days are LONG. Because of the long rainy months Portlanders tend to take full advantage of the beautiful Summer season and get into the outdoors as much as possible. The Bureau of Betterment set out to make getting out there that much easier with The Intertwine which highlights the Portland Area’s parks, trails, and natural areas. For those of you in areas where summer has already arrived, GET OUT THERE and while your there think of us in Portland, still waiting for summer to fully arrive.
found via Clifton Burt
Harrier and Jaguar
This exhibition in the Tate Britain by Fiona Banner is really stunning. Both jets that are used in the piece were used in battle in the Gulf and Bosnia. They remind me of taxidermied animals. Both are wild and dangerous and could kill you in a million ways but have been reduced to nothing more than decoration. I wish I could get to London to go see them! Besides all the emotions that these bring up for me the other thing that comes to mind is how the hell did they get those in there?!? I’d love to see an installation video, they appear to have just come from thin air, I guess that’s another part of what makes this installation so incredible.
Vidz for your ears or eyes
Isn’t it nice not to need explanations sometimes?
Here are four vids spanning music, art, film, and craft without any explanation. Just freaking hit play.
Thanks Yasly + Vimeo Discover
Moncler Gamme Bleu SS 2011
First of all this was totally swiped from Eye Five Style, because we Portland bloggers need to stick together, and because the content of their feed is just scrumptious! Menswear galore, excellent commentary, thank you Zeus for giving us both in one spot.
Alright Moncler Gamme Bleu, you and your square-cut ties can come over for tea and cookies any time, I will find room in my life for you. Red, white, and blue stripes on a modern heather grey with technical fabrics are CLEARLY what I’ve been looking for, I just didn’t realize it. Putting the cat show on a track was campy and I would have loved being there in person. Check out the recap below!
I appreciate the take on sportswear/activewear here, a bit dressier and with a sense of humor. It’s like if Michael Kors and Jean Charles de Castelbajac had a one night stand with Dirk Bikkembergs, this would be their stylish and fit herd of babies. This seems like a 2010 version of a Tweed Rider!