Ritual #1: a case study in collaborative process.

Abstract

After introducing historical models of interdisciplinary collaboration, I describe my process, laying out an example for future creators of collaborative arts performances. When I began this project, I felt like there was no precedent that gave a clear path for how to work. Even after consulting with various mentors, I was only made aware of one artist I could contact who had done something similar. I attempted to follow his model but knew from the beginning that I was working with a significantly more limited budget and different goals. With some experience I gave up on the initial idea and switched to a project that felt more conventional and pragmatic. Interesting elements of this new direction gradually took shape, and a graphically distributed identity of collaborators generated not only aesthetic content but also logistic solutions. The process of creating VOCA::Omni (Ritual #1) facilitated deep artistic exploration and growth for me and all the collaborators.