“one thing that never ceases to amaze me is that, despite poor service delivery, poverty, or any...
TRANSCRIPT
“One thing that never ceases to amaze me is that,
despite poor service delivery, poverty, or any other obstacles,
true creatives will find a way to express themselves creatively.
Obviously when they are properly resourced, they can do so much more…
but that spark will always find a way to shine in the darkest dark.”
– Robin Opperman, Director, Umcebo Trust.
TheWCC
Experience
The World Crafts Council
since 1964
Only worldwide NGO in crafts
With a presence in five regions – Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and North America
The WCC mission is clear-
To provide a better future for the craftspeople of the world.
Craft + Designworking together
Craft + Designworking together
Craft + Designworking together
Some WCC learnings
Pattamadai mats
- Weaving magic
Sedge grass matsIn Tamilnadu and Kerala, India
Craft and community revived
1500 families now sustaining the craft
Workshops and training programs for stone carving communities
Stonecraft- Carving Out Success
Covered 19 states in India
Documented 6 volumes
Published“Stone Crafts of India” a precious resource book
Indian stone craftsperson Rajasekar created Yalis for restoration of St Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle.
Gypsy colours of joy
Banjara embroidery from Telangana, AndhraPradesh, India
Skilled Banjara women were moving to daily labour for livelyhood
Banjara embroidery now has an international market.
2004 – Grass to Gold.
Idea conceived through UNESCO Young Craftsperson Competition.
Grass to Gold.Renowned international jewellery experts shared knowledge with local craftspeople
Grass to Gold.Exhibitions, seminars, workshops evening shows.
Resounding attendance and sales!
WCC and UNESCO- Perfect Partners
The UNESCO Award of Excellence
Benarasi silk weaver, Mallika Mathur.
Award of Excellence needs a bigger thrust, in remote rural areas
Craft and Design - bridging the gap
The Indian experience
– independent pioneers
Started in 1958 by John Bissell.
A profit-driven business model rooted in the cooperative movement.
Fab India- the name says it all.
Benefits over 15,000 rural artisans and craftspersons across India.
Ritu Kumar- Queen of Crafts
Bridging tradition and modernity
Started in a small shed with hand block printers 28 years ago.
Producer of exquisite garments in cotton, silk, and leather.
The first designerto introduce the “boutique” concept in India
Ecofriendly – the new buzz
Fabric from banana!
Japanese designer standardised quality and the extraction process
Independent Pioneers – Worldwide
Designer inspiration-Bia Saldanha
Treetap benefits over 320 people in the Amazon rainforests
An economic alternative to native rubber extraction.
Treetap - A green dream
Water hyacinth – River Nile revival
Water hyacinth – A world of possibilities Paper, pulp, cards, lampshades, furniture, baskets, and footwear.
Looking ahead . . . the future
Role
of
Design Institutes
Craftsperson as designer- when?
Bringing the children of craftspersons,into the design community
Design School Education for the next generation artisan
COLLABORATE to CAPTURE !
Regions / countries
Craftspersons / designers / resources
International organizations
NGOs
Enlightened business community
Media – TV, Radio, Press
Collaborate with:
The attention of policy makersworldwide
Capture markets with aggressive strategies
Capture mindshare of the consumers
Capture Youth – early involvement with craft
To Capture:
Focus on: Advocacy
The Crafts Community needs strong advocates to represent their case among world bodies
constantly and consistently.
Early Intervention
To instill in the mind of the child the importance of the craft.
To introduce to school children the love of the arts
Pooling and sharing of expertise.
Workshops
Exchange programmes.
Empanelment of designers.
Cut through trade barriers.
Talk to governments
Create special status for trade in crafts
Cut red tape
Enable Santa Fe like fairs worldwide
Crafts tourism linkage highlighted by WTO, OIC, UNESCO
Piggy back on high interest in Eco tourism
Get government backing
Destination: Craft-land!
Familiarise customer with crafts
Get acceptance worldwide
Thank You!
Thank You!