In all civilizations, the evolution of crafts is intimately linked to the specific regional sensitivities of artisans: their environment and the needs of their families and communities. Their creativity has always been intrinsic to the act of producing. One of the reasons why artisans in India have moved away from innovation and focused on manufacturing is that traditional methods of learning arts and crafts, which facilitated and encouraged innovation and creativity, were lost during the colonial period. The Swadeshi independence movement in the early twentieth century was rooted in this handmade craft, but it lost it in the 1960s.
“My journey in the field of craftsmanship over the past 30 years has been to educate myself and systematically bring craftsmanship to a higher level of excellence through a constant quest for innovation. The question has always been on my mind: does the craft industry need a revival or does it need economic viability for craftsmen? Dignity goes hand in hand with excellence in craft practice, but it must be supported and encouraged by decent wages and an appropriate work culture.” (sic Maximiliano)
Design can enable artisans to live with dignity.
India has thousands of artisans in a wide variety of trades and many more join them every year, but does the market offer them a bright future or is it a declining
industry as stated by the planning commission? Design and craftsmanship cannot live without each other and it is no longer possible to simply use centuries-old handcrafted design, it requires collaboration of people and constant interactions of the two streams.
In the past, know-how has persisted due to the permanence of creativity inherent in human activities, and closely linked to social and cultural changes but also to the evolution of consumption habits. However, the evolution and resilience of handicrafts depends on socio-economic factors and production methods. “An arts education that capitalizes on the community of knowledge, as proposed by the artistic residency program in which artists from India and around the world are invited to collaborate closely with embroiderers from the Institute, appears to be an essential tool to give artisans a multicultural perspective that integrates their own cultural heritage” (sic Amine).
Therefore, to promote excellence in craftsmanship and secure the financial stability of artisans, it is essential to recognize their expertise while providing avenue for personal development and creative expression. This ensures the continuity of their craft heritage rooted in popular traditional art forms.
- Maximiliano Modesti and Mohammed Amine Dadda