20. 9.–29. 9.
Crafting Futures
The exhibition at hand is the result of an open call for co-productions of limitededition series organised by the Centre for Creativity as part of the Distributed Design Platform in 2023. Under the call Connecting Contemporary Design, Craft and Trades, 10 works by Slovenian creators were selected to receive a financial incentive and mentoring to design a new product or visibly improve an existing one for the purpose of presentation at the interinstitutional exhibition Triennial of Handicrafts and the Crafting Futures exhibition.
The selected products represent an intersection between adaptations of handcrafting symbolisms and techniques and conceptual and social approaches. Handcrafting techniques hold value and worth for contemporary creators, and contrast with generic products of serial industrial production by achieving high quality and traceable production origins. One crucial characteristic of products based on handcrafting techniques is their materiality which is most often associated with ecological concerns. Critical of exploitative models of resource extraction, these creators propose processes based on locally sourced materials and their sustainable cycles.
The exhibited products address the current theme of linking contemporary design production to the rich cultural heritage of crafts and trades as a source of inspiration and ideas for modern, innovative, sustainable, and local production based on natural materials, traditional knowledge, and skills. The exhibition aims to highlight the adaptable potential of crafts and trades and their relevance for today’s changing social and environmental situations, thereby contributing to their understanding in the context of the 21st-century time and society.
LUCIJA PERKO Brass Spoon
Material
Brass
Web
www. storiesofsilver.com
@storiesofsilver_official
The series of brass spoons is a stylised interpretation of elements from the Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik, who continues to amaze with his originality, sensitivity to the user and attentiveness to materials, symbols and exquisite detail. The (coffee) spoon is derived from the classic forms that form the basis of his design philosophy, underscoring his idea that something significant and beautiful can be created from a simple and modest material.
ANDRAŽ RUDI VRHOVŠEK
Material
Solid wood chips and woody parts of plantsnatural materials, specifically remains of fruit trees or shrubs
Web www.festival-lesa.si
Instagram @arudiv
Kočevje Canopy
The product is the result of a reflection on traditional craftmanship. The purpose of the peddler’s basket is opposite to that commonly used by craftsmen. Although it remains faithful to the purpose of woodenware, or ‘suha roba’, which is the use of natural materials to make basic accessories for living spaces, the product is designed as a space organiser. It can be used as a cutlery or tools stand but can also be extended to a family of products such as a basket or a tray for keys and combs, or a holder for glasses. The product is the result of a collaboration between the designer and craftsman Janko Marinč.
ČRT ŠTRUBELJ LUKA BERNIK
Material
Plaster moulds, clay (terracotta, faience, porcelain), glaze and mineral pigment
Instagram @vuvu_design
VuVu
VuVu is a ceramic container buried in the ground that optimises soil moisture through capillary water transfer and encourages reflection on rational water use. The porous ceramic also filters water, removing potential contaminants. It is made by slip-casting clay into a mould and then firing it at lower temperatures to keep the ceramic porous. The product builds on the traditional use of olla pots by providing a wider top to collect water, a feature developed by observing a carnivorous plant. The plant also uses a lid to prevent insects from escaping, while VuVu uses a ceramic lid to prevent evaporation. VuVu is primarily designed for domestic use with indoor or outdoor potted plants.
MARUŠA MAZEJ
Material
Local low-temperature clay
Web
www.marusamazej.com
Instagram @marusamazej
Dysfunction
Dysfunction explores the boundaries between craft, art, and design. The central element is a vase, a typical example of a ceramic craft product. It reflects the skill and technical mastery of the maker, as it is usually a product of slightly larger dimensions and more difficult to manoeuvre during the process. Through a careful choice of colours, textures and glazes, the artist seeks a contemporary approach to traditional ceramic decoration. By researching and understanding the local history of ceramic production, a product has been developed based on the traditions of the local ceramic industry. Local low temperature clay adapted for casting has been used.
PJORKKALA
Material
Clay, wicker wood
Web
www.pjorkkala.si
@pjorkkala
* Pjorkkala is a collective consisting of Žan Girandon, Pia Groleger and Luka Pleskovič.
Kaduja
Kaduja is a product for rising, baking, and storing bread. Inspired by traditional utensils, it translates them through design and use of advanced technology into a modern product adapted to household habits, aiming to promote the once widespread tradition of baking bread at home. The product is made of two parts: the lower part in clay, produced using the three-dimensional clay printing technique, and the upper part in wicker, woven by hand at the Ribnica Handicraft Centre. The use of two different natural materials makes it possible to regulate humidity and adapt the product to the three different processes. The project aims to improve the issue at hand by creating and strengthening the emotional relationship between the user, the product, and the homemade bread.
ROK OBLAK LUKA PLESKOVIČ
Material
Natural clay and sawdust mixture
Web
www.saltodionys.com
@salto.dionys
Slurbee
Čebelino (Slovene ‘čebela’ – a bee) is a ceramic bee water feeder made from a biocomposite material designed to allow enough water to seep to the surface for the bees to absorb it and survive the driest part of the summer. The lid protects the water from dirt and allows easy refilling when needed. The porous ceramic material, made by mixing natural clay and sawdust, allows bacterial filtration of the water and direct access for the bees to drink. The water level is clearly visible for easy monitoring and replenishment. Čebelino can be used by all urban and rural dwellers to help bees and all other pollinators, such as butterflies and other insects, by conveniently attaching it to a tree with a simple loop of string.
ROK OBLAK
Material
Concrete (sand, stones, cement), glass, metal, ceramics
Web
www.saltodionys.com
Instagram @salto.dionys
Glaze from Construction Waste
The project involves the development of a glaze from construction waste and is a continuation of the KRATER cup project, in which ceramic cups were made from clay found in a construction pit in Ljubljana city centre, while the glaze was produced industrially. In the new project, the artist has developed a glaze from the same environment, following the idea of ‘wild’ materials, but this time using construction waste as a raw material. The aim is to develop a highquality glaze fired at the stoneware temperature, or 1220 degrees Celsius. The second part of the project involves testing and registering the glaze, which will make the wild raw material available for commercial use by other ceramic artists.
DARJA MALEŠIČ
Material
Corn husks, Vibram® rubber sole, cords Web www.darjamalesic.net
Instagram @darja.malesic
Corn Dolly
The series of modular shoes is made in collaboration with corn husk weavers from Prekmurje and its visual interpretation is based on an ancient, almost forgotten harvest custom in traditional pagan European culture, namely the making of a woven ornament or corn doll from the last sheaf of the harvest, to be kept until the following spring to ensure a good harvest. It uses a modular design to replace damaged elements, which can then be composted or recycled. The shoes are made from hand-woven, natural corn husks, a Vibram® sole, a cord, and laces. The project supports biodiversity through the use of husks of a native Slovenian corn variety, trdinka.
LARA BALER BORIS OUČEK
Material
Nuxit® walnut hull biomaterial, seeds of native Slovenian tree species
Web www.re-born-nuxit.com Instagram @re.born.nuxit
Oreika
Made from Nuxit®, Oreika is a rattle that contains the seeds of native Slovenian tree species, making it a environmentally friendly alternative to plastic products. When the baby outgrows the rattle, it is simply thrown away - planted in the ground, allowing new life to sprout from the waste product. The rattle carries a message for when the child is no longer a baby, and its primary toy grows into a tree that will accompany it throughout its life. The product gives a second life to local organic waste; the walnut shells come from the authors’ native Prekmurje. Nuxit®, which decomposes completely in up to six months in contact with microorganisms in the soil, was developed by the author as part of a biomaterials research study in Barcelona, where she also carried out strength, tensile and breakability tests. The material has been included in the Circular Material Library.
NINA VASTL ŠTEFE Quilt of Life
Material
Linen, cotton, cotton wool
@nina_vastl
The artist has designed and handcrafted a textile item that has great symbolic value and is useful in many ways throughout life. The Quilt of Life can be given or received at the birth of a child, at a wedding or other significant life event. It can also be given as a simple gesture of celebration of life, for an individual or for a whole family. It can be used as a blanket, bedspread, tablecloth, curtain, rug, drape, or decoration.
Crafting Futures A Centre for Creativity Exhibition
Project concept: mag. Anja Zorko
Project leaders: Pia Groleger, Eva Simonič, Blažka Kirm
Coordinator: Hana Vardjan
Expert assistants: Maja Vardjan, Cvetka Požar, Anja Radović
Expert panel: Maja Vardjan, dr. Tanja Roženbergar, Anja Radović, Ivana Borovnjak, Rok Kuhar
International consultants: Gabriel Roland, Louise Allen, Nadja Zerunian
Mentors: Andrej Peršolja, Katjuša Kranjc, Ksenja Jaklič, Manca Krnel, Miha Artnak, Katarina Mischer in Thomas Traxler (mischer’traxler studio), Nina Dremelj, Nina Tanhofer
Photos by: Klemen Ilovar
Design: Pikto
Participating artists: Rok Oblak I Luka Pleskovič I Darja Malešič I Maruša Mazej I Pjorkkala I Andraž Rudi Vrhovšek I Lucija Perko I Lara Baler I Boris Ouček I Nina Vastl Štefe I Luka Bernik I Črt Štrubelj
Partners of the Handicraft Triennial project: Koroški pokrajinski muzej, Slovenski etnografski muzej, Muzej za arhitekturo in oblikovanje, Center za kreativnost, Koroška galerija likovnih umetnosti, Podjetniški center Slovenj Gradec, Center Rog
More information: www.czk.si.
czk.si/program/crafting-futures