process framework followed

Artefact study and analysis

Keeping in mind the importance of design anthropology of cultural artefacts, a deep understanding of Fleming’s model for aretfact analysis was done.

Fleming’s model is applicable across the range of material culture. In scheme, it adopts a cross-referencing approach in which a series of properties and analyses are applied to each other, and this can be cumbersome when an individual artefact is being studied. More fundamentally, the properties distinguished are open to criticism. [3]

The construction and design of an artefact are too closely related to stand separately and may be regarded as aspects of its material body. The practical function is concerned with how the piece has been used and is therefore better regarded as a part of its history. [3]

The spatial relationships of the artefact are omitted as an integral attribute, to emerge only during the process of cultural analysis. The significance property of the object is obscured by the word ‘function’ used in the paper to cover both uses and roles, described as including delight and communication as ‘unintended functions’, an adjective which begs a great many questions.

The cultural analysis operation will indicate how objects convey status, ideas and so on, as Fleming rightly says, and he suggests some ways in which this may carry artefact study beyond description towards explanation, but this endeavour is capable of considerable expansion and difficult although it undoubtedly is, it must be our prime concern. [3]

Artefact has material, history,environment, significance

Materialconstruction and ornament

Materialdesign of itself, of ornament

Environment-context

1-micro 2-macro

Materialcharacterization

1-provenance

2-industrial techniques

Environment-location

1-in the landscape

2-in relation to patterning

Significance

History

1-own history

2-its subsequent history

3-practical function

Interpretationrole of artefact in social organisation process framework followed

Artefact study and analysis

Matryoshka Dolls

Test based information

Image based

Identification

History and origin, material and construction

Desk Research

DESIGN

Aesthetic, craft and types

Chat GPT

MidJourney

SIGNIFICANCE

Cultural importanceevolutionand

Fig 6. My process framework based on Fleming’s model

Through my understanding of Fleming’s proposed model for the study of aretfacts and keeping in mind the chosen artefact, I have outlined a framework that I followed through out my research and in this documentation that is structured in a way to give the most indepth analysis of the culture and the cultural artefact. I have also included the mediums of research, i.e Chat GPT, Desk Reserach and the use of Midjourney.

Identification

History and Origin

Like many Russian legends, there are numerous theories on the Matryoshka doll’s history. It’s generally agreed that they were created in the 1890s by toy workshop Children’s Education in Abramtsevo, founded by patron of the arts Savva Mamontov. Some claim the doll was inspired by a nesting toy featuring the Seven Gods of Fortune that Mamontov’s wife brought back from a trip to Japan, while others say it was simply the ingenious result of the workshop’s ongoing innovation. [4]

Whatever the precise source of her origins, the very first nesting doll, the Rooster Girl, has fast risen to fame as a classic folkloric item. The original was carved by Vasily Zvyozdochkin from a design by the legendary folk crafts painter Sergey Malyutin. Bearing a black cockerel and dressed in a kerchief and work apron, the farmyard-themed doll contained smaller versions, each carrying items emblematic of Russian peasant life: a basket, a sickle, a bowl of porridge, a broom, and a younger sibling in tow. Nestled in the centre was a baby swaddled in a patchwork quilt. The toy workshop named her Matryoshka, or “little mother.” [4]

Material and Construction

The art of Russian doll making remains unchanged till date, preserving all the knowhows ancient Russian craftsmen. Linden or birch timber for wood-turning is typically cut down in the early spring season and left to dry for years to stop the wood from cracking.

The wood logs are de-barked, stacked in piles, and left in the open for several years to achieve a specific condition. Only an experienced woodturner can determine when the logs are ready for carving. When they’re ready, the logs are cut into smaller wooden billets for doll making. [5]

Carvers may start with the smallest or largest doll, depending on their comfort. They use sharp tools to carve each part of the doll from the cylinder blank of wood, starting with the top part. This top part guides the carving of the bottom part on a second block of wood. The challenge is to make the two different blanks look like one doll. After carving, the two parts are joined and sanded together. Carvers proceed to the next size, repeating the process without measurements, relying on their skills and intuition.

All matryoshka dolls are painted by hand. Workmanship is so precise that all the dolls look like they’ve been painted by machinery. Gouache is used to paint the dolls. [6]

Prompts Results clicked on Insights

https://www.macalester.edu/russian/about/resources/miscellany/matryoshka/ https://nestingdolls.co/blogs/posts/history-nesting-dolls https://www.corinthia.com/st-petersburg/discover-st-petersburg/a-brief-history-of-the-matryoshka-doll/#:~:text=Each%20wooden%20doll%20is%20imbued,the%20 child%20in%20their%20womb. https://nestingdolls.co/blogs/posts/meaning-symbolism-nesting-dolls http://www.historyofdolls.com/doll-history/history-of-matryoshka/ https://nestingdolls.co/blogs/posts/nesting-dolls-how-made https://firebirdworkshop.com/blogs/our-blog/history-of-russian-dolls-essence-of-babushka https://firebirdworkshop.com/blogs/our-blog/nesting-dollswhat-you-should-know https://russianlife.com/the-russia-file/matryoshka-soul-of-russia/ https://firebirdworkshop.com/blogs/our-blog/russian-nesting-doll-history https://xn--80apabjkmqdelf3fve8a.xn--p1ai/vasilij-petrovich-zvyozdochkin-avtor-matryoshki-v-1907-godu/

1) Needed to comb through various sources to get appropriate and accurate information

2) Some sources were repetitive and hence were not used for documentation but was helpful to corroborate the information

3) Some keywords led to the same source of another keyword

Time spent

3 days, 7 hours

Keywords included: people,places,references, material,history

Sources used:

These were sources used for the desk research part of my research although there were 3 other sources accessed but not used

Prompt

Pretend to be well known Russian art historian ,Mikhail Vladimirovich Alpatov and provide me with a detailed insight into the history, material and construction of the traditional Matryoshka with respect to it being a cultural artefact

Variations and Insights

History

The history of the Matryoshka dates back to the late 19th century during the period of great interest in Russian folk art and crafts. It is believed that the first Matryoshka was created in 1890 by a skilled Russian woodcarver named Vasily Zvyozdochkin and painted by artist Sergey Malyutin. The doll was inspired by the traditional Japanese nesting dolls called “Fukuruma” and was meant to be a symbol of the motherhood and fertility revered in Russian culture.

Material and Construction

The Matryoshka is meticulously crafted from wood, specifically chosen for its suitability in carving intricate designs and forming a smooth surface. Lime, alder, or birch wood are commonly used due to their availability in the Russian countryside. The choice of wood not only enhances the doll’s durability but also adds a sense of warmth and organic connection to the natural surroundings. The construction of the Matryoshka involves a masterful blend of woodcarving and painting skills. Each set typically comprises a series of hollow wooden figures, one contained within the other.

Geometry

Able to recognise and provide information between different physical properties of the cultural artefact

The largest doll, often representing a woman, is carved first, with its shape resembling a rounded and gentle form akin to a mother’s embrace. The smaller dolls, representing her children, are subsequently crafted, each fitting snugly inside the larger one.

The process of carving the Matryoshka requires exceptional precision, as the artist must create the doll in a way that allows for perfect nesting. The body of each doll is designed as two separate pieces, the main body, and the detachable head. The head is then carefully attached to the body with a slight groove at the bottom, ensuring a secure yet easily separable connection.

The Matryoshka’s design showcases a fascinating geometric structure that enables it to have multiple dolls nested within each other. The classic Matryoshka consists of a set of hollow wooden figures, each smaller than the previous one. The dolls can vary in size, with the largest one representing a woman, usually adorned in a traditional Russian dress, and the smaller dolls represent her children, with the smallest being a baby.

The dolls are usually made up of two parts: the body and the head. The body is the larger, hollow part, while the head is a smaller solid piece with a flat bottom that fits perfectly into the body. This clever design allows the dolls to be placed inside each other, creating the nesting effect. When the Matryoshka is fully nested, it forms a single, harmonious figure

Is not able to recognise different personalities with the description provided , context and perspective of the information remains same

“Cultural Artefact” here in the prompt is being used to provide a context but was used to generate information on the “Cultural significance” of the artefact which is not required information at this stage.

Prompt

Act as a reputed and well-known anthropologist who has published various research papers on collaborating with designers in order to develop new product ideas with a perspective that delves into the spiritual, emotional, and embedded meanings of space and objects to give information, on the history and origin of the Matryoshka nesting dolls from Russia.

Continuing the same thread and Insights

Keywords that have been used in the prompt like the above highlighted are used to give the AI model a context or a starting point but it doesnt seem to recognise it as ccontext and provides information on the collaborating of designers and anthropologists and gives information on emotional and spirtual significance of the dolls which at this point is not needed and hence not included below

Identification

History

The history of the Matryoshka dolls dates back to the late 19th century in Russia. The first set of Matryoshka dolls was created in 1890 by a skilled Russian woodturner named Vasily Zvyozdochkin, under the guidance of the artist Sergey Malyutin. The dolls were showcased at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1900, where they gained international recognition and popularity.

Origin and Meaning

After a initial conversation has been initiated, the outcome seems to be more precise and informative. Information on the materials used before and current used were provided which further helped understanding the artefact

Material and Construction

Traditionally, Matryoshka dolls are crafted from wood, particularly lime or linden tree wood, due to its smooth texture and ease of carving. Lime wood is lightweight and has a consistent grain pattern, making it an ideal material for intricate designs and painting.

Wood selection, carving, separation, design, Inner dolls assembly, painting, varnishing and finishing are some processes involved in the making of the doll.

It’s important to note that the construction of Matryoshka dolls requires precision and skill, especially in ensuring that each doll fits snugly into the next one. This nesting feature is an essential aspect of their appeal and uniqueness.Over the years, while the traditional methods have largely remained the same, some modern adaptations of Matryoshka dolls may incorporate different materials like plastic or ceramic, and they might feature more contemporary designs reflecting various themes or popular culture.

This question (sub prompt) was an important ask to further jump into the cultural significance of the artefact and how the history,material and construction shapes the same. Since it was part of the same conversation, valuable information was provided by Chat GPT

Although Chat GPT was able to provide valuable information on the Origin of the Russian Doll, it also goes on to state more information on what seems to be the construction of the Matryoshka doll which was not asked in the initial prompt. Neither was the meaning of the word asked. Chat GPT seems to give results and group words like “origin and meaning”

Shaping the cultural aspect of this artefact

History:

The history of the Matryoshka dolls is deeply rooted in Russian culture and craftsmanship. Their origin in the late 19th century marks a period of artistic and cultural flourishing in Russia.

Material:

The use of wood, especially lime wood, in crafting Matryoshka dolls is crucial to their cultural value. Wood has long been a prevalent medium in Russian art and crafts due to the country’s vast forests and rich woodworking tradition.

Construction:

The unique construction of Matryoshka dolls, with each doll fitting perfectly inside the next one, embodies the cultural values of harmony, unity, and continuity which lays importance of family bonds in Russian culture.

Original Reference Picture

The early work of the Matryoshka doll as seen on the reference image showcases no floral/intricate detailing such as these images. Do not seem to be accurate to 19th century work but more towards 20th-21st century work

The number of dolls present in this image is the same as the number of dolls present in the reference image

Prompt 1

“The Matryoshka doll from the 19th century”

Heavy ornated and detailed work does not seem to match the simplistic version of what Vasily Zvezdochkin created

Prompt 2

“The oldest matryoshka doll in the 19th century made by Vasily Zvezdochkin”

The simple pesant life was added to this prompt in attempt ot possibly get the closest version of the reference image but Midjourney has failed to give an appropriate outcome

Prompt 3

“The matryoshka doll from the 19th century depicting the simple peasant life from the Russian country side”