Eleni Kamma’s work meanders between disciplines and countries. Sometimes she works as a solo artist, sometimes she seeks collaboration. At the same time, her practice is anchored in the JUBILEE platform. She is largely responsible for financing her own projects and is familiar with both the position of the client and that of the contractor.
“I am interested in hybrid formats and I work internationally. Shuttling between Belgium, the Netherlands and Greece and between visual, audiovisual and performance arts, I have to constantly determine: which fee is correct? How do I pay my team correctly? How much can I myself ask? Which is quite complicated. Different practices are common in different disciplines. And fair payment in one country is merely a handout in another. My guideline is to act respectfully within the framework of the system in which I operate. For example, I try to determine amounts based on the main country of production”.
Getting agreements in writing
“I am quite direct in my collaborations with fellow artists. I approach artists and freelancers about my ideas and concepts, and ask them if they are interested in collaborating. If they are prepared to do so, I look for the needed resources. If I succeed in this, the collaboration can start. I always make sure that the agreements are put in writing, for example by e-mail. This way, everyone knows where they stand at all times in the process. Since I take the lead on financial matters, it also means that I am the leader of the project in that area. This also includes responsibilities”.
Sharing risks
“Making agreements with an organisation is different than collaborating with artists. Organisations have more power than an individual artist. The fact that they are becoming increasingly aware of this is a positive development. We must be able to enter into collaborations as equals. This means that we share risks fairly, that everyone takes up their responsibility to the best of their ability. And that the artist is guided well. I make a number of coproductions together with the non-profit JUBILEE vzw. They support me in applying for funding and offer guidance in negotiations. I’m also part of CAVEAT, JUBILEE’s programme on contracts in the art world. There, too, the starting point is equality. Not the client imposing something, but two parties working together”.
