Design Intervention
Why preservation of languishing craft is important?
Preservation of traditional crafts and it's knowledge is a fundamental part of cultural heritage. In the past, various crafts were a significant component of people's livelihood and passing of time in their lives. Traditional crafts from a certain region are an integral part of the local cultural heritage also it is an inseparable part of a certain ethnic group or nation and the nation's heritage.
Now a days, most of the traditional crafts and the knowledge hidden within them are on the verge of extinction. The technological changes sweeping the country in the last hundred years have resulted in the disappearance of customs, traditions and work practices, some of which existed for hundreds, if not thousands of years prior to these changes. Some of these skills and knowledge existed in rural areas where technology couldn't overtake and it still take place on a very small scale. There is little documentation of these crafts and where it does exist, it refers to "what was done" and not to the actual method of production. Therefore, the technical details about the materials, the tools and the precise method of work, have hardly been documented and are preserved only in the memories of a handful of older persons. As the number of elders who remember a reality where self-sufficient production was the main component in providing for life's needs dwindles, we become more pressed for time. Living knowledge has no substitute, as these elders are the only link to practical skills, The next generations have been brought up in a different reality, and their practical knowledge is usually limited or missing.
To bring back this valuable source of knowledge and transfer it to the younger generation is a main motto of our design intervention.
Kalansha is a platform which aims to uplift these languishing crafts by making these craft sustain through preservation in a innovative way. Documenting the crafts is the vital requirements that these crafts need, but what after that is our intervention. Our aim is to showcase this immense richness of traditional knowledge through a material library which contains materials and techniques followed in the languishing crafts. Communal cross cultural activities will be an integral part of the service, which would open up the exposure to the artisans as well as people with same interest and diverse backgrounds. For the growth and development of the artisans and to educate people about crafts and its value, we have a platform that serves an opportunity to share the knowledge that turns out to be beneficial to both the ends. The chance to explore and do versions of the crafts according to the artisan’s interest widens their customer’s view about crafts. It also provides the retail space which would provide financial flow to the artisans and which showcases the heart contempt products to the customer. All these would be monitored and facilitated by professional and experts with regular intervals.
Problems of artisans that needs to be resolved
Artisans get less value for crafts in return of their efforts.
Sharing of knowledge is not two ways.
Unwillingness to change their negative mentality
Jealousy and negative attitude towards successful artisans
Lack of self respect and self value in artisans
artisans consider themselves as labours and not as artists
Duplication and mass production with the help of technology which hampers craft sector
Lack of people showing interest in an in-depth learning of crafts
No suitable market for intricate and expensive crafts
Demeaning value of artisans by designers, students, organisations and brands.
Lack of unity within crafts community
Imposition of ignorant government
Lack of Inter-community collaborations.
There is No visible benefits that artisans see or experience by just documenting it.
Lack of awareness on how to identify the authenticity of the craft by general public
Our solution aims to build an environment for the long term survival of the languishing crafts and its artisans by their lost value back. To fulfil our aim , we are working in these following parameters.
Strategic Plan
Level 1: Kalansha Space
AIM: To provide a multi functioning space for the growth, preservation and learning of a languishing craft and its artisans .
Level 1
Priority of Core values
Two way knowledge transfer
Cultural exchange among individuals and craft clusters.
Building Self confidence and dignity
Respectable work ethics by the participants
Regulation of Monetary flow.
Developing a sensibility in design and thinking outside the box.
What is the Strategy?
Creating an open-source platform to access materials, processes, and methodologies of different languishing crafts.
Developing an inclusive platform to encourage a mixed cultural environment where all types of artisans, craft clusters and craft enthusiasts regardless of their gender, age and ethnicities are involved.
Setting up a spatial experience to showcase the beautiful amalgamation of different cultures.
Developing a workshop or training that encourages self-learning and self-growth through first-hand market study and understanding.
Why?
For a two way learning opportunity.
Exposure to different individuals from different fields.
For the preservation of their own crafts from languishing.
Learning the usage of their skills for the current market and trends.
Starting on their entrepreneurship skills.
Material Library
1.Material library: Material Library used to preserve the different materials, documents and books related to different languishing crafts. A place where the visitors can feel a fabric or look at the craft in person rather than pictures. A VR experience related to the crafts where the visitors is taken to the craft villages and see the craftsmen working. Human library where a visitor can meet the craftsmen in person in regards of time and workshop happening at the time.
Key Features:
A virtual tour of craft processes and journey of artisans will be shown through VR set.
Access to the tabloids and magazines
Access to the documentations and books related to languishing crafts
All the materials and their properties will be shown.
Tools will be displayed.
Explorations of different material and their experiments will be displayed
What will the Consumer achieve?
Any craft enthusiast can have a close look of the languishing crafts
He will be allowed to access the resources
Materials can be touched and look closely
Before placing the orders for customised products, consumer can verify the materials and choose accordingly.
Kalansha space(Top view)
Right side_material library, left side_retail shop, Center_workshop
Kalansha space ( from inside)
Right side_material library, Center_workshop
Kalansha space (Entrance)
Entrance to Workshop
Collaborative workspace
2. Collaborative Workspace: Workshop where the artisan will do a workshop with consumers who are interested in the crafts and want to learn more about it. This workshop will promote new idea generations, Craft exploration, craft amalgamation and product development as well as a equal knowledge sharing respectable environment for both the artisan as well as the participant.
Workshop for Artisans
Aim : As the artisans of languishing crafts get connected to Kalansha, a workshop for artisan will be conducted for their personal growth, such as communications skills, learning abilities, marketing, teaching to the consumer etc. The wide exposure will be given to the artisan about current market and stuffs relevant to their crafts. Also new material methods will be introduced.
2-3 days workshop that will happen before the Kalansha two week workshop.
Key features
Flexible learning opportunity for the artisans to learn what what they want.
Awareness about different government policies and schemes
Exposure about current market scenario
Confidence building activities
Introduction to different material knowledge and newer ways of product generation.
Live projection of the workshop for the community members, who are not able to come to the workplace.
Workshop for participants
Aim: To sensitise people about languishing crafts and give them a exposure in craft sector.
Key Features:
Different craft workshops will be conducted
Different team building activities will be conducted to make environment comfortable for artisan as well as participant
Participants will be introduced to different materials and tools
Two way learning will be conducted in fun manner
Introduction to cross culture will be introduced.
Access to tools are provided.
Thorough process and techniques of crafts making will be taught
Experts reviews will take place.
Participants will be allowed to display their work in the retail shop.
What will the Consumer achieve?
Thorough knowledge of languishing crafts.
Cross cultural experience
Craft products can be displayed
Authentic experience of craft journey
What will the artisans achieve?
The ability and reachability of learners.
Increasing self-confidence.
One on one experience on sharing and knowing the urban public.
Able to convey the authenticity and originality of the craft.
Creating sensibility and value about work needed to create the craft.
Recognition to their craft, themselves and the community.
(look-board )Reference image source: Pinterest
Retail Outlet
Retail Outlet : Retail outlet which would not only sell products made in the workshop but also interesting products made by artisans using their skills in a more exploratory environment will be displayed. In this shop customers are allowed to place orders for customised products of their own choice.
Service landmarks
User journey Flowchart
A customer journey flowchart is a visual representation of the process and action taken by customers within service area. It is done to visualize an expected user journey within a given space and interaction with the service land marks.
Flowchart of actions of regular customer.
Flowchart of actions of artisans
Flowchart of actions of craft enthusiast
Persona mapping
Customer Journey Map
Business Origami model
Stakeholder map for Kalansha
Service Blueprint
Level 2: Kalansha Collaborative Website
CONNECTIVITY. REACHABILITY. IDENTITY. EXPOSURE.
Aim: In the view of the COVID-19 where everything has gone online, Artisans from the languishing crafts should also have their presence online for direct interaction and work opportunities with interested individuals.
How?
A Map of india showcasing the existing listing of languishing crafts of india and the crafts that have worked under the Kalansha brand will be highlighted with their own logo and a new artisan brand name. Once the interested individual goes into it, he will be able to access the works done by the artisans and a contact information to work with the artisan.Even artisans will be able to see profiles of different collaborators.
What is the website gonna do?
Along with having details about the workshop, library and retail store, The Website will also have a separate online connectivity platform where different interested individuals are able to connect with artisans from the languishing crafts.
Key Features:
Listing of all the languishing crafts of India on a common platform.
Convenient segregation of the crafts according to skills and materials.
Easy connectivity with the Craft Artisans.
Providing better opportunities for the artisans
Sense of hope for the artisan.
Kalansha Collaborative Website for consumer.
Portal of online registration for workshop
Workshop preferences
Overview of languishing crafts
Notifications about upcoming events
Query desk
Online feedback portal
Kalansha Collaborative Website for Artisan
Registration for workshop
Overview of Kalansha space
Online portfolio creation
Publishing of portfolio
Open collaboration portal
Collaborator’s portal
Online chat box
Notifications of events and collaborations
Level 3: Barter Bazaar
Aim: There are many reasons for the declination of the craft, but for the sustenance of the craft, it is important to be united as a craft community and work towards the upliftment of the languishing crafts. The aim is to revive traditional barter system through a cultural event to unite the strength of craft community for the betterment of their livelihood and make communities self reliant
What is Barter Bazar?
Barter Bazar is an two days cultural event where all the community members will come together to revive their own traditions of barter system. A barter system is an old method of exchange. This system has been used for centuries and long before money was invented. People exchanged services and goods for other services and goods in return. So same system will be revived by exchanging with services and goods which are needed by artisans. Also people from outside such as collaborator, designers and other people who are interested in witnessing barter tradition, will be invited
Key Features:
Conduction of interactive and team building activities
Reviving barter system for needful things
Community kitchen and organizing traditional events
Connecting with wide range of people
Encouraging cultural unity
Rebuilding authentic traditional environment
(Look-board) Reference images source: Chokhi Dani Chennai
Level 4: Artisan To Artist Movement
Aim: The Artisans to artists movement encourages the artisans to use their beautiful skills for a more artistic craft purposes to preserve the skills outside of their monotonous craft products.
What will happen with this movement?
Many artisans consider themselves as a labours as their work needs a lot of efforts physically and mentally. Because of this they have lost all their confidence.Through this movement they will be able use their skills in a artistic way which will help to change people's perception about them. Artisan will be treated as Artists. A new identity will be created. This movement will help artisan to build their confidence.
How?
By collaborating with designers and architects we will teach artisans to built artistic elements which will be implemented in leisure places (Malls, Airport gardens etc ) as a installations or functional product. These installations will reflect the identity of artisans and community.
Key Features:
Cope with current choices of people
Giving exposure to artisans about variation of work
Collaborating artisans with designers, artists etc
Building an identity of an artisan and their craft
Indirect publicity of artisan and their crafts
Targeting public spaces for building creative stuffs
Independent craft project for community
Look board for Artisan to Artist movement
Reference image source: Pinterest