Collaborative Projects Inc, a sticker designed by Tom Otterness, early 1980s
From a strip of five stickers each sized: 1.5 x 1.5 inches. Available for Purchase
When the artist group Colab was founded in 1978 it was conceived more as a mutual aid society than as an art movement. Its premise was simple: create an organization that is legally non-profit so that artists can get access to government grants to purchase equipment, and finance group projects. Colab membership was open to any artist who attended two or three meetings; and money was allocated to projects by democratic vote.
Colab continued into the late 1980s with an evolving group of artists held together by a few dedicated early participants. While initially more practical than political, its emphasis on collectivity encouraged the exchange of ideas, which over time, fostered a greater ideological and aesthetic cohesiveness. Looking back now, Colab can be credited with helping to re-direct artworld priorities towards themes of inclusion and social engagement. Because many women artists were part of Colab, feminist ideas were particularly relevant.
In the early 1980s numerous artists participated in Colab-sponsored theme exhibitions like the “Real Estate Show” and the “Time Square Show,” which were open to anyone. Colab affiliated art spaces like Fashion Moda in the South Bronx, and ABC No Rio in the Lower East Side, provided ongoing venues promoting the group’s priorities. Colab can also be remembered for being the initial peer group for many now well-known artists including Charlie Ahearn, John Ahearn, Beth B, Diego Cortez, Jane Dickson, Jenny Holzer, Joe Lewis, Tom Otterness, Judy Rifka, Christy Rupp, Kiki Smith, and many others. All members retained something from Colab as they pursued their individual careers.
Gallery 98 has recently obtained a large collection of Colab-related material some of which is featured here. You can see more in our collection Collecting COLAB: Ephemera, Photography & Multiples, 1978–1985.
The Sign-In Sheet for a Colab Meeting, Early 1980s
Sign-in Sheet for Colab Meeting, ND.
Size: 7 x 11 inches Available for Purchase
Membership in Colab constantly changed, ranging from a couple of dozen at the start, to over sixty as word about the group spread. Among those listed on this sign-in sheet for an undated early meeting are Tom Otterness, Becky Howland, Alan Moore, Peter Fend, Betsy Sussler, Walter Robinson, Martha Wilson, Kiki Smith, Jane Dickson, Joe Lewis, Stephen Torton, Joseph Nechvatal, Christy Rupp, Ellen Cooper, and others.
Proposal for the Restructuring of Colab ![]()
Tom Otterness, Proposal for the Restructuring of Colab, three pages, xerox copies, c. 1981/82
Page size: 8.5 x 11 inches Available for Purchase
The price paid for being a Colab member was engaging in tedious meeting with a lot of talk and debate. In this xerox sheet distributed to members, Tom Otterness suggests ways the group could more effectively organize itself. The handout announces a vote at the next meeting.
X Magazine (formerly X Motion Picture Magazine)
X Magazine, Vol. 2, 60-pages, 1978. A Colab publication assembled by the X Collective.
Magazine size: 11.5 x 14 inches Available for Purchase
Many early members of Colab were filmmakers eager to access equipment and find collaborative partners. The Colab publication X Magazine (originally X Film Magazine) captures the spirit of this group. Many members were later associated with the “No Wave Film” movement. This issue includes Charlie Ahearn, Betsy Sussler, Marcia Resnick, Jimmy de Sana, Tina Lhotsky, Colen Fitzgibbon, Diego Cortez, Rene Ricard, Anya Phillips, Kathy Acker, Beth B, Vivienne Dick, Liza Bear, and others.
Times Square Show – Group Exhibition Organized by Colab
Exotic Events, Times Square Show June calendar, designed by Beth B & Scott B / Tom Otterness, offset poster on newsprint, 1980
Poster size: 17 x 20.5 inches Available for Purchase
Wallpaper size: 22 x 31 inches. Not for sale.
Colab’s greatest impact came through its sponsorship of large theme exhibitions located in unusual spaces. The most successful was the Times Square Show, located in a former massage parlor in Times Square. This calendar poster lists films and performances by Jack Smith, Nan Goldin, Kenny Scharf, Jim Jarmusch, Dara Birnbaum, Charlie Ahearn, Beth B & Scott B, and many others.
Two Colab Affiliated Art Spaces – Fashion Moda & ABC No Rio
John Ahearn, South Bronx Hall of Fame, Fashion Moda, card, 1979
Card size: 2 x 3 inches. Not for sale.
Colab provided grants for art spaces founded by group members. Stefan Eins and Joe Lewis were the forces behind Fashion Moda, sited in the South Bronx which was at the time NY’s most blighted neighborhood. John Ahearn attracted attention to the space by making plaster casts of local residences. Fashion Moda later helped introduce graffiti art to downtown audiences.
Poster size: 14 x 18 inches Available for Purchase
ABC No Rio was established in 1980 in the wake of the “Real Estate Show,” an illegal exhibition mounted when Colab artists broke into in a vacant city-owned building. This poster is for a book documenting ABC No Rio’s first five years. The gallery still exists with a new building currently under construction.
Art Direct – A Mail Order Catalogue Published by Colab and Printed Matter
Collaborative Projects & Printed Matter Inc. Present Art Direct Items for the Home or Office, cover art by Tom Otterness; inner page shows t-shirts by Christy Rupp and Stefan Eins, offset booklet, 1982
40-page catalogue, size: 5.25 x 8.25 inches Available for Purchase
Colab advocated for art that could appeal to broad audiences. In addition to sponsoring holiday “A More Stores” that featured low-priced art, Colab also collaborated with Printed Matter to create the mail-order art catalogue, Art Direct.
Cave Girls – A Film by Kiki Smith and Ellen Cooper
Cave Girls, promotional photograph by Teri Slotkin, c. 1982
Front Row Kneeling l to r: Virge Piersol and Ilona Granet
Back Row Standing l to r: Kiki Smith, Bebe Smith, Ellen Cooper, Julie Harrison, Marnie Greenholz, Cara Brownell
Photo size: 8 x 10 inches. Available for purchase
This all-women, Super-8 film project was headed by Kiki Smith and Ellen Cooper. All of the women that participated (including photographer Teri Slotkin) were members of Colab.
Cave Girls, three pages of preparatory notes by Ellen Cooper & Kiki Smith, c. 1981-1984
Page size: 8.5 x 11 inches (each) Available for purchase
“We are no longer here to continue the race. What are we doing if not for reproducing, not fulfilling the ultimate purpose of our womanhood, not being true to biology… we are past that point…. The world is poisoned and the old way is ending we need new thoughts we need Cave Girls.”
The Journal of Male Behavior – A Project Proposal by Mike Glier and Jane Dickson
Mike Glier & Jane Dickson, The Journal of Male Behavior, xerox flyer, 1981
Flyer size: 8.5 x 11 inches Available for Purchase
Not every Colab project was realized. Mike Glier and Jane Dickson were behind this failed attempt to get artists and writers to contribute to a Journal of Male Behavior.
Talk is Cheap – A Colab Street Poster Project
Portfolio of 26 street posters by 47 artists, cover design by Janet Stein & Darryl Turner, offset on newsprint, 1984. Full portfolio available for purchase.
Jane Dickson, Kiki Smith & Charlie Ahearn, Cause Effect, Offset Poster, 1984
Poster size: 23 x 35 inches. Individual posters available for Purchase
Membership in COLAB increased dramatically following the publicity the group received after the Times Square Show. Talk is Cheap, a street poster project was initiated by John Hogan, an artist who had recently relocated from Chicago. More information can be found on Gallery 98’s Talk is Cheap collection page.
