Sunday, March 23, 2008

So, um, what does "Metonymy" mean?

OK, so it is a strange word. When we first started throwing around ideas for names this one appealed because it means "a name of something standing in for the name of something else or concept, ie suit for businessmen or skirt for women." Which is kind of neat twisty artsy idea... but OK, we admit it, we chose the name mainly because it sounded cool.

Of course, any quick Google will show that Metonymy is, in fact a far more complicated idea with everyone from Freud to drama theorists to linguists playing with the idea. It's a concept with lots of interesting twists and turns of thought, in fact.

But is this discussion relevant to my collaboration?

Ummm. No! Do whatever you want, you definitely don't have to do something connected with 'Metonymy', however you choose to define it... though to start an argument we could naughtily suggest that 'all art is Metonymy' (hmmmmm!). We just thought it would be fun to mention what the word means.

FAQs #1

OK, here's a few FAQs we've been asked so far:

What is maximum size for works? can I make more than one?

Of course you can! make whatever you like, and push the boundaries!The maximum size for works is variable. Just be mindful of the fact that there will be a large range of other works that take many shapes and forms in the exhibition as well.The doorway to the gallery is 1.9m x .99m. Your work needs to be able to fit through this, so if working sculpturally your maximum width is 90cm, and height 180cm so we have some wriggle room. Multiple-pieced works are acceptable, but use 1.8m x 1.8m as a basic guide for the maximum size of an entire work.

I would like to collaborate with my partner/friend/flatmate/cat. May I?

Of course! Go for it!! But not for Metonymy.... remember the whole idea is to work with someone you don't know, and see what unusual creative sparks fly. If it sparks off your creativity so you want to collaborate with everyone you see, your long lost husband, the policeman, the gardener, John Banks (well OK, maybe not John Banks).... well fantastic! One of our aims is to generate as much artistic energy as possible. But remember, reserve some of your energy for working with your Metonymy partner. They are giving up their time to work with you, and expected standards for the exhibition will be high.

I've been paired with someone I'm a bit unsure of. May I swap?

Umm.... this is a hard one. We've done our best, using the information you've given us, to pair you with someone who matches you in terms of geographical location, transport needs, and artistic themes.. but not all matches are perfect. We ask that you at least meet with your partner once or twice and keep an open mind. If you find that it really is impossible for you to work together, then let us know and we will put you back in the "pool" and see if we can match you with someone else. Remember, if this happens we can't guarantee another match and you will also lose working time.

Who owns the work we make?

You both do. Equally. And remember, all works are for sale so if it gets sold, you split the money equally. Therefore it's important to ensure you are both happy with the amount of input you each have in the project. It's OK to create two intersecting parts as well (eg object+performance or object+text) so that you can each take a piece of the work with you at the end of the collaboration.

Who owns the copyright to the work if it gets sold?

We've consulted lawyers on this and the standard rule in NZ is that artists (ie, both of you equally) own the intellectual copyright to a work, ie you can reproduce it as image/text in, say, a book even after it is sold. Remember that since the assumption is that you have dual copyright that you should consult and acknowledge the other artist's input if you do reproduce the work later. Make sure you are comfortable with this before throwing your "best idea ever" into the communal cooking pot. That being said, don't be scared to chuck everything in....great ideas have a tendency to breed even better ideas.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Meet and greet #1

Hurray! The pairings have been done and everyone has been notified - you should have made contact with your partners by now. We'll post a list of pairings up shortly, and also announce the selectors for the exhibition.

The date for the first meet and greet is Wednesday the 26th of March, 6.30pm til late(!) at the Wine Cellar on K Road.

For those of you that haven't been there before, its a nice little bar (but they make coffee as well!) in St Kevin's Arcade (downstairs),179 K Road. This is a chance for you to meet everyone else involved in Metonymy and also your super duper organisers - Micky, Hannah, Renee, and Xian. We'll all be wearing a bright knitted flower somewhere so you can't miss us. Don't worry if you miss this one, we'll try and organise these little get togethers every couple of weeks for those that want to meet up and form some sort of buzzy artistic community! We'll also be organising a poetry slam and other events to raise money for the publication... more on that later.