When 1 + 1 = three. How collaboration can change everything

I’d like to present some groundwork relating to the history of artistic collaborations.  As a former gallery director, I used collaboration as a means to create unusual, innovative exhibitions which often combined, different creative disciplines, jewelry and dance, or jewelry and opera, and even jewelry and rare automobiles, just to identify a handful. The effort to do this requires mutual synergy for all parties.  The process must remain, disciplined yet spontaneous, with always a dash of pure fun in the mix:

Here is an abbreviated listing of some of the organizations I have brought together, almost always with studio jewelry as a key ingredient. Santa Fe Opera - Metropolitan Opera- Philadelphia Art Museum- The Nature Conservancy- Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Parsons Dance - Penland School of Crafts (USA)- Haystack Mountain School of Crafts (USA),  Museum of International Folk Art, National Public Radio (USA - Downton Abbey), Michael Furman (auto photographer), Anderson Ranch Arts Center, LA Opera, and the Santa Fe Institute.

The history of contemporary art has many famous moments where two artists, usually, working with similar mediums joined forces to create a “third” expression. Some of these were short-lived and others lasted for a lifetime. Know that there is no, nor should there be, formula for a brilliant collaboration. Intention is everything as a passion for breaking new ground at some level. In the past 100 years or so Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera, Andy Warhol & Basquiat, and William de Kooning & Jackson Pollock are a few that come to mind. There are dozens more of these collaborations, that were initiated “artist to artist” without the initial platform of a “gallery let’s say” as part of the original intention.


Ivan Barnett mural image, taken in the old Santa Fe barrio- “Frida on the Camino Real” 2023.


Probably the most famous collaboration in the past century was that of Pablo Picasso and his dear friend Georges Braque. Their time spent working together side by side spawned what we now refer to as Cubism, hence, one plus one became three and the third element changed the world of art to this day.

My first artistic collaboration in the late 80’s and early 90’s with acclaimed furniture maker David Ebner would begin with the framework for true unabashed artistic collaboration. The collaboration that unfolded was many months of mutual studio visits where we came to develop our almost unspoken vocabulary. The art of the push-pull and the dance that ultimately becomes larger than the parts. I’m a colorist by nature and Mr. Ebner was a consummate, acclaimed furniture maker whose works are in such museums as the Renwick Museum in the USA. I had never made a piece of studio furniture, ever.  However, being longtime friends and colleagues was helpful. We had the central ingredient of trust and respect for each other at very deep levels. Ultimately the works we created, after a 5-year collaboration, went on to be exhibited in Chicago at the “New Art Forms” art fair, receiving substantial attention, as being one of the most interesting “new forms” in 1993.

Soon after that collaboration, I enrolled in the International Emma Lake Arts Convergence in Canada, another big leap into the art of sharing. Here artists from around the world are thrown together, for a week, and challenged to “make and collaborate, usually with total strangers, providing me with even more experience! That event was in 2002, just as Patina Gallery was getting itself established as the destination where wonder and surprise happened in Santa Fe (from about 2005 to 2023). The tradition of unusual collaborations became the mainstay for the gallery. Patina became that place where "cool was living." Here are just a few of my favorite collaborations, all where jewelry was a key element. All exhibitions took place at Patina Gallery.


Ivan Barnett, Earl Pardon Brooch made in the 1970's.

 

• 2021- “A Mid-Summer Dream”- Jewelry Atelier Zobel- paired with the Santa Fe Opera’s opening of “A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare. The jewelry collection was designed and inspired by the opera itself. Over 25 jewelry works were placed over the course of the extended exhibition of jewelry. A percentage of the sales went to the Santa Fe Opera.
• 2018- "Gracefully Capturing Space” A collaboration and exhibition between German jeweler Erich Zimmerman and the world-renowned Parsons Dance Company. Mr. Zimmerman made specific works in gold and silver echoing the Parsons Dance style. A percentage of sales were donated to Performance Santa Fe. Founder David Parsons attended the opening as did many of the dancers in his troupe. (The event took 11 months to orchestrate.) Mr. Zimmerman also attended this opening.
• 2017- "Friendship Forged in Gold"- Golden beaded jewelry paired with three-dimensional woven “golden” wall sculptures, by Andrew Fisher. The theme was created around two long-time artists. (This exhibit was one year in development.)  Claire Kahn the jeweler sold over half of her works before the exhibition opened.
• 2017- “Crafted Vision -The Tension of Opposites"- In association with the world premier opera in Santa Fe about the life of Steve Jobs. Twenty-five original images of Jobs were exhibited alongside jewelry that was made using laser technology, co-curated by Google’s Head of Hardware Design, Ivy Ross. (Partial proceeds were donated to the Santa Fe Opera.) The event took 18 months to develop. The gallery placed twenty of the images taken by Doug Menuez in a private collection. Jewelry was made by a dozen international artists.
• 2016- "Simply Savion" A pairing with world-famous dancer Savion Glover and jewelry artist Petra Class (both artists were guests of Patina), and a portion of the proceeds for the event were donated to Performance Santa Fe. This event took 9 months to develop.
   

Crafted Vision -The Tension of Opposites. Opening at Patina Gallery in 2017


A few closing thoughts and some words of wisdom, and I must emphasize the critical importance of “personal synergy.”

• The most profound collaborations must be grounded in mutual passion and deep respect for “the other’s” creative sensibility.
• A deep friendship becomes a huge part of the equation and at the heart of the whole decision to collaborate is the consummate sense of unwavering trust between or among the individuals. 
• When collaborating with a community partner or cultural arts entity always allow plenty of time to formulate a plan and be sure to discuss the financial benefit that your “arts partner” is receiving from a “production.”
• For those just starting on the journey of collaboration, start small and take very simple, baby steps as it were, to get the feel of working with a shared vision.
• The more you both enjoy the process, the more your clients and the public will. If all goes right, you will gain new customers and clients when pairing with an outside arts organization, folks who may be lovers of dance who become lovers of what you make.

Brian Eno was right, collaboration ensures growth.

 

About the author

Ivan Barnett
I stir souls. And I know, from decades of experience, how to scale an art business from good to great. I live and work in the oldest capital city in America - “the City Different.” After 25 years, I have stepped down from being the founder and creative director of Santa Fe’s world-renowned Patina Gallery, best known for its soul-stirring works and “Beauty over Time” exhibitions. In my 25 years, I grew Patina from an unknown brand to a global storyteller, exhibiting the works of the most talented artisans in the world.
Here’s what I’d like you to know about me: - I’m a man of my word. - I deliver on my promises. - I’ve produced and directed exhibitions and events that have never been done before. - I have collaborated with some of the world’s most famous opera stars. - I love the Pareto 80/20 principle created by Italian economist, Vilfredo Pareto. - My favorite quote is “Less is more.” - I’m an INTJ. - My favorite movie is Zorba the Greek with Anthony Quinn. - My best ideas come at 3 am. - I like taking the long way around and do not believe in shortcuts. - I was taught to arrive at all meetings seven minutes early. - I make friends for life. - My forte is connecting dots and telling stories about artists.

creativemornings.com/individuals/ivanbarnett
seriousplaysf@gmail.com