The Collaborative Body: Here and Now

Stroll By Exhibit Series | The Collaborative Body: Here & Now

October 15 – SAA reopening

The Collaborative Body: Here and Now  is a dynamic group project in which 15 artists collaborate to transform the Salem Art Association’s Annex, spanning from October to when Salem Art Association reopens in 2021.The project encourages playfulness, experimentation, and collaboration in a time where people cannot physically come together. Artists are encouraged to create work directly on the walls and other provided surfaces of the Annex, as well as creating installations throughout the space. The project will be shared out virtually throughout the process.

The Collaborative Body: Here and Now  is loosely based on various ideas in the surrealist game Exquisite Corpse, in which players would take turns drawing a portion of a body (head, torso, legs) on paper. The previous artist’s contribution was folded over and hidden until the end, when the paper was unfolded to reveal the “exquisite corpse” – the unusual, unplanned, and eclectic interpretation of the body. The ever-changing nature of this project is unlike the corpse– more like a series of interactions. It creates an interwoven, living piece of art, infused with the creative minds and practices of a variety of artists. Participating artists are Eilish Gormley, Rich McCloud, Corrine Loomis Dietz, Bonnie Hull, Erik Brambila, Grace Lundblade, Heidi Preuss Grew, Jessica Amos, Jo Hockenhull, Jim Hockenhull, Jodie Garrison, Katy Vigeland, Leo Cuanas, Nicole Servin, and Tim Knight.

This project came together during covid19 in response to artists wanting to interact with other artists in a safe way. With three main artists at the helm, a new community is created. Sneak peeks can be seen through the Annex doors facing the park!