Wednesday, 18 February 2009
"Craft",Help or Hindrance?.
Skill, tradition, hobby, pastimes, high quality, low quality and a plethora of cultural pre-conceptions, good and bad, embody "Craft". To cover all the facets of the applied arts in one umbrella term is complicated if not an impossible task, but all too often "Craft" has been used. But is "Craft" a help or hindrance to the applied arts profession? Now more than ever as the applied arts are seeking greater recognition as in the fine arts and from the general public has "Craft" outlived it`s professional descriptive attributes.
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5 comments:
Craft has always jarred with me in the fact that I studied in Design courses at uni but am deemed a crafter as a professional.
Look at Origin not that long ago it was titled the Chelsea Crafts Fair when it was at Chelsea Town Hall. Obviously the name had to be changed for the move to Sommerset House but was this also a convienient time to upgrade the image of Origin by side lining "Craft " in the main title.
Although the word 'Craft' might sound twee it also has links to the traditional skills and the past. It a tricky one. I am not sure where I stand and not sure of a better word.
Garth Clark's articel in a recent CRAFTS highlighted similar issues in the US. Although the crafts are viwed differently there, in terms of cultural context, I feel we can learn much from their focus and possible direction. The need for academic recognition isin't really necessary yet we do need to acknowledge creative colleagues, albeit in different framework and be prepared to work alongside them. It's all in the name and hence perception, isin't it?
I have noticed a D.I.Y. craft revolution going on. It's not as big as in the US, but I think it is certainly having an impact with an influx of hobbyists into the middle market crafts sector. Although I believe public perception of UK and Scottish craft is changing, and the market of conscious buyers is expanding, there is this make-do-and-mend and recycle vintage textiles/products attitude and practice which people are developing into “DIY crafting.” As this market develops it could have an impact on makers who might find they receive more income from running training workshops than selling their own products. What is going to happen to makers who refuse to hold workshops or sell components for hobbyists to put together? How do we protect against this kind of competition - is it that much of a threat?
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