On Collaboration: No Rockstars

This morning during my usual morning coffee/internet session, I came across a couple of posts/links that discussed the benefits of collaboration. So I thought it fitting to make a quick post about my experience thus far in collaboration with Broc and Merrick. We began our collaboration a little over a month ago in late August. Now we have a little less than a month before our exhibition opens, and we are in full studio output mode. Along the way we have had to adapt as a group, switch gears, change plans, but all in all this collaboration has been very beneficial and enriching. Having other colleagues to bounce ideas off and to ask for help is very reassuring, and has made the studio experience very pleasant. It's kind of like having one big party all the time in the studio.

 

 

 

 So all in all, I might only collaborate from here on out. Well maybe not, but it's a good support structure and has been a positive experience. We are all always churning out ideas and bringing em to the group. I wish I would have worked collaboratively sooner. 

Here are the couple links that I came across this morning. The Ken Robinson video mainly deals with education, but it does touch on collaboration and is a good watch anyways.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U
http://www.core77.com/blog/education/collaboration_no_rockstars_please_by_paul_backett_20547.asp

Broc's Second Blurb

Bad day yesterday. Colin and I are going to be making some more slip today. Twelve more buckets! approx 50 lbs x 12 buckets = 600 lbs of slip.

Studio Pictures

We have an abundance of pictures from the studio so I thought I would upload some of the funny ones. Hope you enjoy them.

Keepin Busy

So the last couple days were pretty busy, we got Merricks first kiln loaded and unloaded and then found a safe secret spot to hide/store them until the big day. Keep your eyes peeled for for more posts. A big announcement is coming soon, plus some fun things that our followers can participate in.

CHECK IT!

Well, here it goes...... I'm officially a Blogger!

SANDING, SANDING AND MORE SANDING

LOADING THE KILN!

BAM. FIRE IT UP!

Broc's Blurb

Hello all it's broc. Check out all of this stuff we are working on! On the left: Merrick's forms, in the middle on the left shelf near the fan: Colin's forms, in the middle on the middle shelf on the top: my secret project, on the table: blocks drying in the plaster mold, on the far right: completed blocks! Updated picture coming soon... check back in a few days!

Broc's Little Secret

Had to post this picture of side project that Broc is working on. It's looking pretty good so far.  Thought some of you might enjoy this.

A peak at Colin's Project

(Colin Here)- Today I thought I would give you a look at part of my contribution to the project. So to the left you are seeing images of some molds that have just been dumped out and then (lower left) is the form that comes out of the mold. This is an example of basic one part mold slip casting. 

I won't tell you how many I am going to make or whats gonna happen to them next. You'll have to wait and see. (Below) Me enjoying some delicious and a economical lunch in my studio space.  Thanks for looking and keep checking the Repetitive Play blog for more news.

Broc Hard at Work

This is what it looks like when Broc is hard at work.

Merrick in The Zone. ( That means she has headphones on and isn't to be disturbed) I was gonna post a picture of Broc workin but I couldn't find any.

This is Funny

This is Funnier. (someone was playin with the camera.)

Merc, Broc, and Col

          Just a bit about who we are, for those of you who are unawares. We are all currently students at Minnesota State University Mankato. Merrick and Broc are both undergraduate students in the ceramics department and I (Colin) am a first year grad student. We've been working alongside each other in studio classes for a little over three years and so this collaboration just seemed inevitable. 

          Broc come from Mankato originally, Merricks from the cities, and I'm from a bit further north. We all have similar interests, which so far makes working together a breeze. This is just meant to be a little tidbit and brief explanation of the characters involved in Repetitive Play. Hope your staying interested.
 

Making Casting Slip

Broc and I in the clay room at MSU, making some serious slip the other day. Since then we've made an additional 12 buckets, we are really goin through it. It's a pretty dusty dirty time consuming process but it goes a lot faster with two people. Me and Broc are a well oiled slip making machine now. (photo by Merrick Anderson)

Welcome from Repetive Play

Welcome everyone to Repetitive Play, a blog featuring a ceramic collaboration between Merrick Anderson, Broc Toft and myself (Colin Klimesh). We are a group of ceramic artists currently working on a collaborative ceramic installation project. We have been taking a bunch of pictures along the way to document the process and we thought it might be a good idea to share with people.