Towards Focused Collective Fruition

“Although I do believe we should finally set some of our principles and beliefs in stone to make our mission comprehensive, I don't think it would be wise to set a strict identity of our collective. In my opinion, it wouldn't necessarily simplify our endeavors as a collective, but restrict them. So I'm gonna say it, here it comes…we need fruition and focus. We have to seriously reassess what we have done and where we are heading.”

~ Kelly Savage

I. Activism, Community, Art

Subject To Change, the name itself, embodies exactly that. Both activism and community art are about not only our collective, but also our multiple identities. Being an artist may be part of one's identity but it's not the whole thing. So even when an artist is "doing" activism, she brings her aesthetic self. Conversely, activists may also be artists. Similarly, "communities" are not fixed, monolithic entities any more than individuals are. This is a great thing. It means that for as strongly as one holds certain beliefs, one also feels oneself part of a place perhaps, or an ethnicity, or a class. Interacting around these several identities engenders personal relationships —an effective way to break stereotypes and, by extension, change social attitudes. We're all more responsible to one another when we're in a web of relationships and that's what community art provides.

II. Collectivity

Not rocket science, I know, but sometimes the obvious needs to be pointed out: As people come and go within the collective, or as standing members' thoughts and ideals change, it also alters the collective itself. If you bark your ideals onto others, or allow your ego to inflate, it will corrode STC. If you sincerely nurture another individual's artistic endeavors and they do the same for you, it will enhance STC. Not making every meeting or participating in each project may somewhat reflect on our momentum, but not as severely as someone being insincere, attacking other individuals for their "lack" of productivity or different attitudes. Conflict resolution is simple, just talk. Bring your beliefs to the table and weigh out the pros and cons. Not every member is going to facilitate. Not every member is going to be as emotionally invested as the other. The thing that HAS to be enforced is respect and not scrutinizing everyone's motives. Simply ask, talk, and exchange dialogue. What will often times naturally occur is that certain individuals will fall out since their approach works against the nature of a collective or community. Some simply need to work as individual artists.

III. Public Art

Public art will connect with the audience greatly in a place like NYC. Since we are based in NYC and living in the same environment, we are personally affected by the same things thus building a connection on something already there. Especially at a time where rent is rising, artists are being pushed out, and hollow mass media is the only form of culture people can come in contact with. An artist with an individual stance won't exactly nurture the lack of creative expression in our neighborhoods as much as a collective could. We already have a communal identity. We already know a thing or two about working collectively. What's needed is a catalyst to illuminate a specific issue to be more effective. If we cooperate with each other and keep momentum, we can create that catapult.

IV. Identity, Sincerity, Rationality

It is important for a community-based art collective to have both individual AND group identity. We need to respect each other's differences and in most cases embrace them in the context of the collective. In order to manifest our efforts as a collective, from the most personal to the most political, we have to build sincere relations with each other. Be rational, not everyone is going to agree with your philosophical views or academic jargon. They simply won't always apply to an entire group of individuals. Debate, discuss…Community art is by its nature dialectical. It is ESSENTIAL for all of us to be our crazy ass selves but to leave drama, personal issues with other members, and egos at the door. Utilizing us for our network or simply our "man power" alone is not welcomed. If you don't believe in STC at all, then walk away.

Written by Kelly Savage

Edited by Mark Blackman