Collaborative Storyboard
Exhibition: Scraps
Artist: Geneva Haley
Overview
Collaboration often takes place between artists. Artists are influenced by many things - their environment, life, childhood and even other artists. When an artist is inspired or influenced by another artist it can lead them to working together to create something new and creative as a team. This form of working together is called collaboration.
Participants will begin their creative process for this project by working together. This project is a modified version of Exquisite Corpse, which was invented by Surrealists in the early 1920’s. Each participant will add on to the story, inspired by the preceding participants illustration they will each continue the narrative from their own perspective. When the last image is completed, the whole visual narrative will be revealed.
Objectives
Be introduced to the concept of creative collaboration
Work creatively and intuitively within the constraints of a continuing narrative
Create a 2-dimensional narrative using various drawing/painting materials
Materials
Drawing Paper Roll
Pencil
Ruler
Markers
Pencil Crayons
Instructions:
Step One
Take the paper roll and using a pencil, lightly mark out even sections approximately 12 inches along the length of the paper. The number of divisions you mark on the paper should correspond with the total number of participants so that everyone has their own section to work within.
To set up the paper roll;
You may decide to work on a flat table surface, or alternatively tape or pin the paper on the wall.
Step Two
Begin brainstorming as a group and come up with a simple phrase that will start your visual narrative. Instructors may also decide to lead the project by choosing the phrase themselves. The phrase can be as simple as, In The Forest..., leaving ample room for creative interpretation.
Each participants contribution should be centred around this phrase. Once the phrase has been selected, participants can independently brainstorm and think about how they may interpret the phrase.
Step Three
Have the first participant begin their drawing. Depending on allowable time you may want to complete this project over an extended period of time and simultaneous with another activity as other participants will need to be occupied while only one person is drawing. For best time management, each participant should be given an allotted amount of time that their section needs to be completed in.
To visually connect each frame, ask each participant to include a horizon line into the piece, which will then be continued by the next participant.
Though there are a couple simple rules to follow during this project, it is expected that participants will interpret these rules differently. Some may look at the illustration before theirs and continue the narrative seamlessly, like a graphic novel. Others may be less literal, extending the narrative through other visual connections from the preceding illustration such as colour, shapes and pattern.
Step Four
Once each preceding participant has completed their contribution, the next participant will begin drawing. Each participant will be looking at the preceding drawing to extend the horizon line and gain inspiration, while also maintaining that their drawing is centered around the initial selected phrase.
Step Five
Once all collaborators have made their contributions, the full visual narrative will be revealed. As a group, have participants reflect and discuss their experience working collaboratively and the impact it had on the narrative. Examine how people may have interpreted the rules differently.
