can a date be considered a collaborative work of art?
the folks at WOOLOO.org seem to think so; they are
sponsoring a project called AVANT-GARDE DATING

here's how they describe it,

"Right now, AVANT-GARDE DATING is selecting
individuals to be matched in carefully chosen couples.
The most innovative applicants among these couples
will receive an exhibition in Berlin, Germany during
the Art Forum (Sep-Oct) 2007.

To apply for the AVANT-GARDE DATING experience,
you must request what sort of person you would like
to meet.

In your application, you should explain how this
new relationship will explore the conventions of
monogamous love, challenge the idea of artistic
collaboration and/or explore one of the other
numerous stereotypes of human pairing.

Based on this information, the Dating Board will
match you with another artist somewhere in the
world.

Out of everyone matched, three outstanding
“couples” will each be rewarded a 1-week exhibition
in Berlin to further explore the concept of human
partnering. During their stay in Berlin, the couple will
be living together in the exhibition space.

Additionally, a 20-minute video piece will be made in
collaboration between Wooloo Productions and the
participating artists during the exhibitions. This work
will be shown as part of "In Pursuit: Art on Dating"
at the Ise Cultural Foundation Gallery in New York
from November 16th, 2007 until January 2008."

Well, dating as collaborative art - why not?

wikipedia defines art as follows,

"Art is a (product of) human activity, made with the
intention of stimulating the human senses as well as
the human mind; thus art is an action, an object,
or a collection of actions and objects created with
the intention of transmitting emotions and/or ideas."

there is nothing in this definition that is inconsistent
with WOOLOO's notion of Dating as Art

further, the dating artist, like any artist, must make
judgments, take risks, surprise, and arouse feelings

he or she puts it on the line, takes a leap and ends
up with something that's really great . . . . or
not so great

let's be on the lookout for WOOLOO's 20 minute
video piece to see what the dating artists will have
created