Art as Social Practice: Imitation, Collaboration and the Calling of the Unforseen

Abstract

This paper explores art as a social practice and questions the idea that art is purely an independent practice. This is discussed through three narratives describing moments that took place during an Atelierista course at the School of Education and Childhood Studies of Capilano University in which students, in groups, set up provocations for a group of infants from Capilano University’s Children’s Centre. The author is one of four or five students who participated as group facilitators in painting provocations and these experiences are explored from a first-person narrative perspective. This paper uses these narratives to explore concepts of copying, collaboration, and the variety of ways in which a material can call to us while we are engaged in an artistic process. Although there is no definite conclusion, the paper calls on educators to think beyond the current parameters, that are often placed around what is considered art, and how the act of “doing art” should be carried out. What is being proposed is the notion that art is a social practice; a practice which consists of gathering inspiration and ideas from a limitless variety of sources, including each other.