One of the issues surrounding collective art making is that critics don't like it because it runs counter to everything they hold dear, the primacy of the individual artist for instance. There's also the issue of the art history that curators feel they control.
Although the history of these practices in the modern era goes back to the Futurists, Dadaists and Surrealists to some extent, it is difficult for the purveyors of criticism in art to adjust to this.
One exception was a comment by a curator/critic who witnessed the creation of such a work by members of the Cabo Mondego Section here in Portugal, who are all strong artists in their own right. Although initially skeptical, he finally came around to the realization that it is valid and said one phrase which sums up the activity: Free Jazz !
That may be the closest you could get to a description of the process.
Really cool Gregg!
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