The panel featured Daniel Canogar, visual artist; Diego Mellado, Studio Daniel Canogar; and Catalina Tejero, IE University. They were joined by moderator Diego Carnicero, from The Partners & Big Days.
We are living through a profound transformation in the art world. This is where the myth of the solitary genius is being questioned and the value of collective work is being reasserted. At a time marked by rapid technological acceleration—with artificial intelligence and blockchain acting as transformative forces—a recent gathering brought together artists, technicians, educators, and cultural managers to reflect on how creation and collaboration are being redefined in the cultural sector.
Moderator Diego Carnicero structured the conversation around three key themes: teamwork, roles and methodology, and training and leadership.
Artist Daniel Canogar shared his professional journey, from a solo practice to leading a multidisciplinary art studio. More than ten people now compose the studio. This transition, driven by both the increasing technical complexity of his projects and a personal need for connection, has been key. It enabled him to execute large-scale public artworks without compromising creative integrity.
Alongside Diego Mellado, the studio’s engineer, they explained how their studio functions as a research and prototyping lab. It is a place where generative art, sculpture, real-time data, and technological solutions converge. Both emphasized that while technical execution is crucial, everything begins with a clear artistic vision. The creative process is led by this vision, ensuring authenticity throughout.
Catalina Tejero offered a perspective from the fields of arts education and cultural management. She advocated for collaboration as a key professional skill, both in training and in the current job market. Catalina Tejero stressed the importance of teaching people to work in teams. She also emphasized valuing collective contributions and elevating the recognition of shared authorship. This approach advocates moving away from models centered on individual figures.
She also reflected on the power of multidisciplinary work as a driver of innovation. In contemporary artistic practice, the merging of diverse areas of expertise allows creation to go beyond traditional boundaries. In this sense, the collaborative studio model—such as Canogar’s—is now one of the most dynamic forms of cultural production. It is also one of the most sustainable.
Throughout the session, a powerful idea emerged: individual creativity is amplified when embedded within a collective structure. In contrast to an art system that still tends to reward singular authorship, many current practices are built on interdependence. Artists work with technicians, producers, designers, and managers to form teams that operate as true creative ecosystems.
This paradigm shift also demands a deep transformation in educational methodologies. It is no longer enough to train artists who are technically proficient in their field. We must also teach them how to collaborate, manage teams, and communicate effectively. Additionally, they need to understand the economic, social, and technological contexts in which their work unfolds.
At the close of the session, the speakers were asked:
What advice would you give to a young professional who wants to join a multidisciplinary artistic team?
Their answers conveyed a clear message: in a hyperconnected world, creating as a team is no longer optional—it is a structural necessity of contemporary art. This gathering not only prompted thoughtful reflection but also inspired a shared commitment to building sustainable, creative, and culturally impactful networks of collaboration.