Remembering 'The Cauldron'

Community and Creativity

During my assisting days in the late 80’s, I began working with a photographer who would kick us out of his studio whenever he had his mysterious ‘Cauldron’ meeting. To me this sounded like D&D… or S&M, but it turned out to be neither of these. Seven photographers; Peter Bosch, Charles Purvis, James Wojcik, Robert Butler, George Holz, Just Loomis and Robert Lewis, all CalArts graduates, would get together once a month to show each other work in progress. There were two rules; you had to bring something new each time and it had to be completely independent of any commercial assignments. I still remember how seriously they took these meetings, there was a lot of accountability.

This idea was so appealing that, with a group of my fellow assistants, we formed our own ‘Cauldron Jr.’. Following the same structure, we assembled once a month, making the rounds through our various small apartments. We would show each other our work, talk about it, and drink beer. Projects didn’t have to be epic in scale, most of our work was barely formed, but these conversations helped all of us think more carefully about what we were doing. There was quiet competition, at least with me, and if I got outshone at a meeting I’d work harder next time. It definitely got the creative juices flowing.

This approach was instrumental in developing a mindset which understood the need to always have something personal brewing, lest creativity begin to wither. Commercial mandates, without creative fuel from outside the industry, can quickly devolve into an ever-tightening closed loop.

I thought back on this ‘Cauldron’ group recently when an artist friend came to see my Co:Lab exhibit. She had assumed the show would be a collection of outtakes from commercial work, nothing like the personal projects on display. I was glad to hear she had been pleasantly surprised and soon began wondering if those ‘Cauldron Jr.’ meetings had been the very thing helping secure a creative through-line, from art school critiques to my professional career, keeping the fire alive.

The ‘Cauldron’, both iterations, eventually fizzled out. It’s not easy to keep these things going when people get busy with work and family. But the meetings still resonate and helped set the stage for a commitment to finding inspiration both inside and outside commissioned work.

Now it’s your turn. If you’ve found some colleagues you’re simpatico with - assistants, art directors, stylists, etc., ask if they’d be interested in getting together once a month to discuss ideas and show new work. These groups help build a sense of creative community and accountability, something that will hopefully grow throughout your career. I hereby pass the torch.