What defines contemporary craft and design? How is a practice shaped by the era in which it emerges? How does it endure as times change?
Every generation of designers and craft artists works at the intersection of heritage and innovation. They inherit techniques, ideals and institutions from those who came before, yet must simultaneously engage with their own era: its values, crises, technologies and visions of the future.
In this issue of Formkraft, we explore how crafts moves through generations, , and how the times leave their mark on methods, materials and mindset.
Among other things, we present the story of Vibeke Vestby and her invention of the TC loom as a technological innovation. The story illustrates how one generation’s experiments can create new opportunities for the next. Vestby’s work stands as an example of how developments in craft and design often arise at the intersection of tradition and necessity, between experience and innovation.
In addition, we present a series of conversations between practitioners from different generations. The conversations revolve around the times that have shaped them: the ideals of their training, professional dogmas, working methods and worldviews. What did they take with them from their own training? What do they perceive as outdated? What is worth passing on – and what must necessarily change?
This edition is an invitation to look back in order to move forward
Thank you:
Augustinus Fonden
Statens Kunstfond
Ny Carlsbergfondet
Konsul George Jorck og konsulinde Emma Jorck’s Fond
European Crafts Alliance – Co-funded by the European Union
