Likartade

Likartade is a fictional traditional communal art form described in the folklore of the imagined region of Verdovia. It combines live painting with performative elements, produced collectively by a rotating group of artists and musicians. The practice emphasizes process over product, prioritizing collaboration, improvisation, and shared authorship.

The term is said to derive from Verdovian roots meaning "to sketch together," reflecting its collaborative nature. Legends place its origins in Verdovia’s river valleys in the late 18th century, as seasonal ceremonies in markets and plaza spaces. While written records are scarce, variations appear across communities, with some locales linking likartade to harvest rites and others to urban festivals.

A typical session gathers four to eight participants who take on rotating roles: lead painter, assistants, rhythm guide, and narrator. A large canvas or wall is prepared with a neutral base. The group begins with a central motif and expands outward through timed rounds of color and gesture. A live chorus or percussion provides tempo and cues, while neutral commentary guides transitions. Works are often created rapidly and may be documented by photographers for posterity; many canvases are intended to be ephemeral.

Materials are traditionally natural pigments, charcoal, and water-based binders. Since many performances unfold outdoors, weather and crowd dynamics influence the outcome, contributing to the work’s sense of immediacy.

Cultural significance: likartade is described as a communal ritual that fosters skill-sharing, social cohesion, and public engagement. Variants exist in pace and scale, but the core principle remains collective creation.

See also: collaborative art, live painting, performance art.