Danius Kesminas embodies some of the wilder energies of the Australian cultural scene. The tireless Melbourne artist is very much embedded in the art world – his exhibitions in a cutting edge commercial art gallery quote from modernist art history. Yet Kesminas’ work is far from pretentious: his many projects set about attacking art’s elitism [...]
Posts under ‘world’
UNESCO workshop for Artisans and Designers – who owns culture?
The UNESCO Workshop for Artisans and Designers in Santiago brought together participants from Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Paraguay, Colombia and Brazil. For three days, we discussed the ethics of the relationship between those who make craft products and those who develop them for markets. It was a fascinating workshop for many reasons.
First, it was [...]
Seamstresses unbound
The recent UNESCO World Forum on Culture and Creative Industries celebrated the link between fashion and craft practice. A consistent theme was the dependence of fashion designers on good artisans. But here lies the problem.
On the opening day, the Artistic Director for Linvin, Alber Elbaz confessed that he was worried that his specialised workers [...]
Craft Without Borders – waking up together
According to Plutarch, "All men whilst they are awake are in one common world: but each of them, when he is asleep, is in a world of his own." So it seems in the sphere of world craft. Many of us have our own personal engagement with a craft community or tradition in a [...]
Carole Douglas – a new tradition for trash in Kachchh
Carole Douglas is an Australian who has become deeply involved in a particular craft scene in India, the dyers and weavers of Kachchh. In 2001, her engagement has been deepened following the devastating earthquake in the region. She has now developed a project that honours these crafts and supports environmental awareness. This is her story.
Litter: [...]
After the Missionaries events
These events relate to the ‘After the Missionaries’ issue of Artlink, which includes articles about how artists are negotiating their paths through a more reciprocal world. For more information go here.
10 June FORUM Has the world changed?
Has the Kyoto Protocol changed how rich and poor countries relate to each other?
Is Australia moving away [...]
Rwandan grass meets German silver
The range of jewellery made by Martina Dempf in collaboration with basket weavers from Rwanda shows an intriguing combination of cultures. The vibrant designs and fine weaving of African grass is housed within elegantly crafted European silver. How did this collaboration come about?
Martina Dempf is a jeweller based in Berlin. She studied jewellery at Pforzheim [...]
True to self or play the market? – the South African challenge
In response to the recent South African election, the director of Cape Craft & Design, Erica Elk, penned these thoughts as part of their newsletter’s editorial. While focused on the South African situation, they could apply more broadly to all ventures that attempt to bring the market to play in assisting cultural development.
She reflects on [...]
Aid to the USA
A recent email from David O’Conner of Aid to Artisans reflects some important challenges for world craft. He celebrates the distance learning program that has been established in the US Embassy in Baghdad for the purpose of training 100 artisans in the free market economy.
Most interesting was his response to the concerns that some have [...]
Children can be the link between craft and design
The Tradition for Modern Times was an intense workshop to complete the Selling Yarns conference. Participants brought a range of skills and experiences, particularly from Indigenous and artisan craft centres. In first considering the kinds of objects that have value in life, there was a great emphasis on some knowledge or connection to those [...]
