Assemble, Craft Council Conference
Assemble, the first UK Crafts Council Conference took place at LSO St Luke’s, Old St, London on Tuesday 22nd June. Delegates engaged and interested in craft, (including over 200 makers) gathered to hear the views of inspirational speakers on the value and importance of craft in the 21st Century.
Attendees were also given an insight into the work of some exciting practitioners, many of whom are embracing the digital world. Added to this, the summaries of 3 separate research studies, Making Value, Crafting Futures and Consuming Craft were delivered on the day, with the full text available on the Crafts Council’s website.
Rosie Greenlees, the Crafts Council’s CEO opened the event and Professor Mike Press, Chair of Design Policy and Associate Dean at the University of Dundee co-ordinated the proceedings. He spoke of the need for craft to “connect with the world around us – and be relevant for today.” He called for craft to be seen as a professional pursuit in schools, rather than simply as a fun, creative distraction as it is still regarded by many.
Delegates get hands on at Assemble
Professor Mike Press pondered where the value of craft will find its place in the new UK coalition governments’ much trumpeted ‘Big Society’ – but pointed out that new minister of State for Universities and Science, David Willets had recently spoken of craft in very positive terms – alluding to its rigour and the inherent qualities that come with the required technical ability. He concluded, “We do not believe that we have had such a clear cut opportunity for us to advance the case for craft for over a generation. We either seize this moment – or we squander it”.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the conference was the revelation of the new ways in which some innovative craft practitioners are embracing and utilising the digital world of the 21st Century. Dr Jane Harris, Reader and Director of the Textiles Futures Research Centre at Central Saint Martins, introduced a number of excellent speakers, including the fascinating work of Michael Eden.
Michael Eden was a potter with his own studio practice in Cumbria for over 20 years, who became fascinated with the web. He learned HTML code, and built his own website, but his interest in all things digital grew further, eventually leading to his MPhil research project at the RCA, which he completed in 2008. One outcome of his research was the award-winning ‘Wedgewoodn’t Tureen, which he produced on a ZCorp 3D printing machine. As a result of this success, he is now involved in a number of related projects, including the design of ceramic street furniture.
Dr Michael Crawford at Assemble
Lynne Murray’s involvement with jewellery, design manufacture and virtual reality, was also fascinating. She explained how the results of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership have led to her founding a successful, innovative business, Holition. Exciting recent projects include being involved with luxury brands such as Tissot and Tag Huer, creating new Augmented Reality experiences, engaging consumers directly with an object and so leading to immediately increased sales.
Martin Raymond, co-founder of the trend forecasting website and consultancy, Future Laboratory gave an overview of his vision of the ‘Turbulent Teens’ that we are about to embark on. He drew parallels for 2010’s with the 1910’s – with everything changing, new developments emerging and challenging times ahead. He suggested that ‘lowering the walls around craft’ may bring new opportunities. He spoke of the need for changing attitudes in the light of the huge depletion of oil resources in the world , and said it was now clear that the “Boomer’s have trashed the planet.” New leadership, he said, will be about collaboration, new status markers will be about sustainability, and he foresees the emergence of ‘cradle to cradle’ concepts – where things are made to last ‘forever’. He also believes that, “Local is the new global for the next decade.” Summing up, he said he said that the key factors for the next decade will be “inclusivity, sociability, serendipity, and collaboration” creating “Turbulance to Transformation”.
Sugar Craft graffiti at Assemble
Other inspirational speakers included the American philosopher and mechanic, Dr Matthew Crawford, whose book, ‘The Case for Working with your Hands’ has been widely praised. He spoke about the virtues of manual competence and the satisfaction gathered from maintenance and repair in an increasingly passive world of dependence on others. He said, that much was to be gained from “The experience of seeing a direct effect of your actions in the world, and knowing that these actions are genuinely your own” – adding, “Tinkering is important; it is a way of young people finding out about the world.”
In the ‘Making and Social Value’ session, Dr Tiffany Jenkins, from The Institute of Ideas, introduced speakers who have been involved in connecting Craft with young people. A definite highlight of this section was the inspirational and successful work that Andy Cathery from The Real Ideas Corporation has been doing with Xtravert. This project, based in Cornwall engaged young unemployed people in carpentry, building skate ramps and eco-sheds. They have created “a real business with real profit” and have empowered the young people, leaving them with many transferable skills, and an increased sense of self-worth.
Podcasts of the speeches and panel discussions plus images from the day will shortly be available online at www.assemble.org.uk and the three research reports are available on the Research and Information section of the Crafts Council website.
Michael Eden
Holition
