Mapping Dynamic Art Duos
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Mike & Doug Starn
Elmgreen & Dragset
Miller & Shellabarger
Gilbert & George
McDermott & McGough
Dolce & Gabbana
Cagney & Lacey
I’m a big fan of the collaboration, and have enjoyed the esoteric innuendo of McDermott & McGough as much as the cheeze-whiz that once was Shields & Yarnell. But what makes these long-term combos work? In music you got the Pet Shop Boys and Daft Punk, and used to have the Capt. & Tennille, Donny & Marie and Hall & Oates, in film there’s the Brothers Quay and the Kuchars, and on and on. Some siblings, some lovers or friends, some exclusively professional relationships. Anyone who has worked together artistically knows the challenges, the compromise. Sometimes I wish I could wiretap the thoughts of those I’ve worked with while the creative process is in full bloom. Could you imagine what Warhol and Jack Smith were thinking when they made Batman/Dracula together? Incidentally that film, though thought to have been lost has been recently solely credited to Warhol, which brings up the whole subject of intellectual property.
Collaborator Scott Wayne Indiana and I certainly had a lengthy discussion about this when we collaborated on M_US__EUM back in mid ‘07. Though the collab literally started on a bar room napkin it’s been published in a book distributed worldwide, been collected by a prestigous dealer and will be showcased alongside artists Gregory Crewdson and Gordon Matta-Clark in an exhibition early next year. Perhaps what draws collaborators together is what talents or knowledge each person brings to the table, perhaps its by chance, or personality. Either which way is up, I hope more of these types of dynamic duos continue to emerge and shake the tree.
Tags: Beyond Trend, Elmgreen and Dragset, Famous Art Duos, Scott Wayne Indiana, Warhol and Jack Smith