The best thing about having a particular skill in the arts is being able to share it with the world. It’s even better when you have the opportunity to work with someone else who may or may not have the same skill, but can contribute greatly to what you’re already doing. These kind of collaborations usually have the greatest results as it may generate a much bigger impact than what the collaborators could have imagined. Some great examples of this is Cristo & Jeanne Claude, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, and Mos Def & Talib Kweli.
These collaborations have produced the most enjoyable and creative inspirations that the world has ever seen. The team work that these individuals have portrayed has shown the world that with a little help and cooperation from all persons, that anything is possible. I see this as a marriage, if both partners are in it for each other then the marriage will run strong and healthy, but if one person in the marriage has a different outlook then it can result in an unfitting relationship.
Unfortunately, sometimes when people collaborate, individuals might have a different mind set about the power of collaboration. As one person may do a collaboration for all of its powerful aspects, another person may do it for personal gain whether in popularity, artistic value or just to be seen. Although collaborations are a way for a person to amplify their art to another level, it should never be a situation where a person takes credit for the collaboration or uses it solely for their own purpose. Art should come first and egos should come last.
Later Days…
Not everybody is meant to work together…BOTTOM LINE.