Published 02-02-2009
Keywords
- Sustainability - Craft,
- The Crafts,
- Technological Developments - Crafts,
- Craft Object,
- Mass production
- New Technologies - Crafts,
- Industrial Production,
- Craft Production,
- Functionality,
- Authenticity,
- Makers,
- Mass Customisation,
- Socio-technological and material discourses ...More
How to Cite
Abstract
This research explores the problem of sustainability of the crafts as a discipline. More specifically, its aim is to investigate how the crafts can respond constructively to the pressures of contemporary technical developments in order to be at the cutting edge and at the same time preserve its integrity. The argument is that current new technologies provide an opportunity to the crafts rather than a threat if the crafts are understood as experimental and not as a subsidiary to either fine art or design.
The aim and argument of the research is based on three assumptions, which are addressed in the following in order to provide a meaningful answer. The three assumptions are, firstly, a clarification of what we mean by 'craft' or 'the crafts'; of what we mean here by sustainability, and thirdly, of the impact that contemporary technical developments have on the sustainability of the crafts.
From the discussion, two aspects emerge that determine the further development of the research: Firstly, the problematic of rapid technical development for a discipline, which has remained reliant on manual working, material intelligence and sensitivity. Secondly, this raises questions how the crafts can adopt and integrate these new developments in the light of contemporary pressures.
In order to approach these issues, the inquiry uses conceptual analysis and comparison to understand the concept and idea of craft, and its sustainability. Following the discussion of the key concepts in section 2, the research proceeds through a an analysis of the concept of craft, its unique strengths and how they can be used to advance the crafts in relation to the emergence of technical developments and how these can be utilised to advance the crafts.
The conclusion summarises how the combination of technical and conceptual advances can be used to facilitate progress and sustainability of the discipline. As part of this, the study identifies how new developments or 'new avenues' in the crafts emerge.