Zygote
Artists!
Are you looking for a sounding board?
Itching to riff with other artists about a topic or theme you’re playing with?
Like talking about your research aloud to figure out your next step
Wanna conjure up some experimental brainstorms or resources?
Curious how other disciplines might engage with your topic or format?
All reasons are fabulous reasons to sign up for….
Zygote!
Zygote is a meet up for artists to share and discuss new ideas.
It is a great place to explore what’s brewing and where it may lead. We keep the group small for deep diving. We aim to provide a supportive and flexible environment. We ask questions, seek to understand your process, and let you select engagement that is right for you.
Whats the point?
Brainstorm with others, get un-stuck, practice talking about your process, get specific feedback if you want it.
Lots of end-points are possible… our goal is growth, expansion, inspiration
What should I talk about?
This is a session for new ideas.
If you have a project/artwork already created or near it’s final form–like maybe you are seeking feedback for how to “polish it”– this is not the right event.
If, however, you are in a brainstorming / drafting / research / exploration phase, Zygote is just right!
You can talk about a specific topic or interest that has been taking up space in your head, even if you don’t have any ideas how to turn it into a work just yet.
You can share a conceptual approach you are exploring.
or a physical process experiment.
You can share a rough idea for a piece.
You can ask specific questions, (and provided that folks feel comfortable sharing their answers) get specific memories, opinions, or approaches in response.
What will other people respond with?
Responses might be a list of questions.
…or musings on how others might engage that topic in a different medium.
…or suggestions for artworks to check out.
….or suggestions for relatable articles or books.
…or on-theme tangents about science, pop culture, sociology, who knows.
Our goal is not to tell you what to make or how to make it.
Our goal is to excite the brainstorm / questioning phase with external stimuli.
Is this right for my (insert-your-art-form-here) project?
Creators from any discipline are welcome. We just ask that:
- work be in the new + nimble gestation stage.
- you are open to talking to folks from other disciplines about your work ant theirs.
Can I present a “sketch, draft, or treatment” of a new idea?
Like, Is it ok if my project idea is developed already?
Yes, absolutely! Although this is not for critique of finished work, works-in-progress are great.
You can certainly bring in a draft of something, e.g. like a scene description for a video or film work.
if you’re looking for feedback we can do that too, just remember that the goal is exploration
You should be in a phase where new directions could be helpful or exciting…. (that said, a totally new direction may not emerge from the conversation. Likely, you may just reach a ‘next level’ in your project development.)
We are here to explore potential with you.
What should I bring with me?
Any physical thing you wish to show.
If you have digital content to share, please indicate your needs in the sign up form, so we can be prepared.
We have projectors, speakers, space of about 500 sq ft.
If you just plan to talk thats cool too!
Will i be roasted?
No.
unless i suppose thats what you’re looking for? In which case, maybe discuss this with us before signing up.
The artist’s intent is the guiding light…. Our aim is to help you find the direction or new considerations that are right for you.
There’s a variety of discussion methods we like, and are always open to special requests.
Things we like include: Liz Lerman’s Critical Response protocol, open ended questions, mind mapping, brainstorm webs, free-association, collage-storming, improv games, visual annotation, basically riffing!
Our next Zygote is on: March 1st, Sunday.
To Sign up, visit the event page below:
