Innovation and Development
Craft Innovation Workshops
Bamboo Craft
02
Space Making Craft Workshop
About Craft Innovation Workshops Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC) at CEPT University, India through a comprehensive “Craft Innovation Workshop (CIW) Model” initiated the concept of “Collaborative Innovation” to catalyze a deep social and cultural change. In this CIW Model, design, craft and industrial processes within the field of craft related to Interior Architecture engage with each other to create an understanding that leads to new synergies. Through Craft Innovation workshops, the intention is to develop “Innovation through Craft” and “Innovation in Craft” by bringing diverse people together which in turn will help in uplifting the value of crafts in society. DICRC deals wih two types of crafts : SMC (Space Making Crafts) and SSC (Space Surface Crafts). SpaceMaking Crafts (SMC) constitutes of the crafts, which are primarily related to the buildings/Interior-Architecture. The focus of SMCW and SSCW is on primary materials like Wood, Stone, Earth & Grass and secondary materials like Metal & Glass. The objectives of this CIW Model are: 1. To bring diverse voices into curatorial and craftdesign processes by engaging them into process of making. 2. To develop craft-design innovative prototypes through collective knowledge of craftspeople and design participants. 3. To conduct exposure and interactive sessions bringing higher level of excellence to all.
SMCW 02
Bamboo Craft Workshop
20 January 2011 - 03rd February 2011 th
Innovation and Development Craft Innovation Workshops Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC), CEPT University, Ahmedabad, India
List of other SMC workshops conducted: SMCW 01 SMCW 03 SMCW 04 SMCW 05
Wood Turning Lacquer Craft Stone Craft Wood Craft Earth Craft
List of SSC workshops conducted: SSCW 01 SSCW 02
Madhubani Painting Gond Painting
Acknowledgements We thank all the people involved in the Bamboo Craft Workshop for their constant support at various levels during and after the workshop.
Funded by:
Š 2013 Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC) CEPT University , Ahmedabad, India.
Government of Gujarat
iNDEXT-c Government of Gujarat
Table of Contents SMC W Actions 01) About the workshop
01
Overview Team Members & Participants
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04
Details
06
Schedule
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02) Framework
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Rhizome Framework
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Rhizome Approach
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03)Collaborative Craft Design Process
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Exposure & Insights
Introductory Session
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Input Sessions
17
Site Visits
23
Interaction & Demonstration
25
Ideation & Exploration
27
Creation & Experimentation
31
Transmission & Value Building Appreciation
04) Output
33 35 33
Craft Design Groups
38
Craft Design Prototype Plates
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Craft Design Prototypes
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Craft Design Prototype Evaluation
46
Dissemination
49
SMC Bamboo Workshop Panel
50
SMC Bamboo Workshop Flier
51
SMC Wood Workshop Media
52
View of the Exhibition Bamboo Craft Workshop Team
vi
About the workshop
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Overview Craft encompasses centuries of distilled wisdom, practices, aesthetics, and evolving dynamics. This multi layered nature of craft, was the starting point for a two week long Space Making Craft (SMC) workshop at the Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC), CEPT University, Ahmedabad. The workshop brought together several institutions and individuals, including bamboo artisans and designers; who worked together, to develop innovative crafted products for contemporary markets. On the completion of the workshop duration, the conceptual and working prototypes were exhibited at the DICRC. The workshop attracted a plethora of visitors, from design students to curious passerbys to eminent personalities.The products developed were evaluated against the Sustainability Checklist by the design participants, and also external evaluators.
Collaborators: This workshop was organised and conducted in collaboration with
Eklavya Foundation
Tapini Bamboo Development Centre
Rhizome Consortium
Indian Institute of Craft and Design, Jaipur
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Team members and participants
Jay Thakkar, Sonal Mehta, Shiuli, Rebecca Krishna Shastri Reubens
Jagrut Raval
Ishita Shah
Soumya Basnet
Anusha Babel
Tillotam Baraik
Bhavin Panchal
Harshitha G. Raju
Neha Vaid
Mihir Vakharia
Mitraja Vyas
Vrushali Burle
Neeraj Richard Bara
Devanshi Das
Kartick Ghosh
Gaurav Jain
Sangeetha Priya
Rajesh Rasania
Niharika Srivastava
Mohd. Wasif Ahsan
Rachna Ahuja
Krutika Ghawghawe
Rishav Jain
Gaurav Dinodia
Neha Singh
Sri Sowmya Chinta
Ratan Pal
Sudan Rudrapal
Kamalesh Babu
Sheela Kotawalia
Rajesh Nanu
Ranjeeta Kumari
Ambubhai Babu
Sunita Kumari
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Sallembhai Shankar
Ripka Aggarwal
Prakash Soma
Sakruben Ambu Bhai
D h i r u b h a i Karsanbhai
Daniel Kotwalia
Sanjaybhai Kanubhai
Rajesh Chotubhai
Jayesh Mansu
Ethail Ishwar
Bipin Arvind
Jay Singh Bhai
Naresh Masha
Laxman Nausar
Ashokbhai Laloobhai
Dilip Ishwar
Navin Supadia
Nikul Contractor
Prakash Vania
Krishnadas Rao
Chandraben Rao
Dhuljibhai
Institutional Representatives, Design Participants, Master Craftspeople, Craft Participants , Craft Students, Experts and Support Staff of the Bamboo Workshop Team. The 24 design participants were design students from the Faculty of Design, CEPT University, Ahmedabad, and the Indian Institute of Craft and Design (IICD) Jaipur; as well as professional designers and civil engineers. The 24 craft participants from Waghai were Kotwalia community bamboo working trainees, linked to the Tapini Bamboo Development Center (TBDC) and the Eklavya Foundation in Ahmedaba
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Details
Dates: 20th January 2011- 03rd February 2011 Workshop Venue: Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC), CEPT University, Ahmedabad Number of Design Participants:23 Design Participants Number of Craftspeople: 23 Craftspeople Co-ordinator DICRC: Prof. Krishna Shastri Head of Research DICRC: A/Prof. Jay Thakkar Director TBDC & Rhizome: Rebecca Reubens Director Eklavya Foundation & TBDC: Sonal Mehta P.G. Cordinator, IICD Jaipur: Shiuli DICRC Team: Ishita Shah, Soumya Basnet, Jagrut Rawal, Rishav Jain, Rachna Ahuja Support Staff: Sudan Rudrapal, Krishnadas Rao Output: Twenty Three Prototypes Exhibition: 2nd February 2011 - 05th February 2011 Exhibition Venue: DICRC, Above SID Workshop, Faculty of Design, CEPT University
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Schedule Day 1
Overview and welcome address- Prof. Krishna Shastri About DICRC + organisations + institutes involved: Asst. Prof. Jay Thakkar, Shiuli, Sonal Mehta, Rebecca Reubens. Student’s sustainability understanding assessment - interactive session
Day 2 - 3
Field Trip to Waghai, Dang, South Gujarat. Visit Villages, Industries, Craft Clusters and Workshops
Day 4 - 11
Input Sessions by various experts : Prof. Kireet Patel (SID, CEPT), Ar. Errol Reubens Jr (Errol Reubens Associates), Prof. M. P Ranjan (Design Thinker and Independent Academic), Asst. Prof. Sankalpa (CEPT University), Mr. Brij Bhasin (Barsana Trust, Rajasthan), Dr. A.K. Das (Academic and Field Expert) Vishal Wadhwani (Idea Factor), Asst. Prof. Shiuli (IICD, Jaipur), Samir Parker (SID Alumni / Design Professional). Concept development for final design, hands on working with craftspeople and making of the prototypes
Day 12
Working on Final Finished/working Prototype
Day 13
Discussion on individual objects for Exhibition for 2nd February 2011.
Day 14
Final Exhibition at DICRC + Closing ceremony + Certificate distribution
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Framework
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Rhizome Framework The Space making Craft Workshop at the DICRC was structured along the Rhizome Framework which was developed by Rebecca Reubens during her PhD research. The Framework seeks to create new reference points for craft-evolution; to keep craft-based production to consumption systems ecologically, socially, economically and culturally sustainable. The Rhizome framework proposes three directions for craft evolution, namely ‘Expressive’, ‘Prosumer’, and ‘Glocal’. The Rhizome framework identifies opportunities for the craftsperson to be an artist (Expressive), and/or a vernacular producer and the marketing link of an interdependent sustainable community (Prosumer), and/or a producer and perhaps even small businessman rooted in producing the ‘sustainable’ (Glocal). Expressive
Prosumer
Glocal
The ‘Expressive’ direction proposes that the cultural repository created through the product library workshop forms the basis for product lines that are deeply rooted in maintaining cultural capital: that align craft with art. The ‘Prosumer’ direction proposes that cultural markers – drawn from the cultural repository created through the product library workshop – form the basis for product lines that are based ‘on self sufficiency through production networks’. The ‘Glocal’ direction proposes that cultural markers drawn from the cultural repository form the basis for product lines that are based on sustainability. This direction targets both domestic and foreign urban markets, where there is a demand for sustainable products 11
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Rhizome Approach The Rhizome Approach, named after the ‘Rhizome Framework’has been used to facilitate several collaborations between craft and design, to develop products and systems that fit into the conceptual lens of holistic sustainability. The Rhizome Approach aims to address the barriers to sustainable innovation in product and service development identified by Maxwell et al in 2003. The approach consists of a 7 point system with different mechanisms to address those barriers. Step 1: Providing knowledge about sustainability: The Book Step 2: Holistic Oversight of Production to Consumption System: Exposure Visits Step 3: Including Sustainability at a Strategic Level: The Rhizome Framework Step 4: Including Sustainability in the Design Brief: The Sustainability Checklist Step 5: Collaborative Design Process: Dialogue and Technical Backstopping Step 6: Measuring Sustainability: Evaluation against the Sustainability Checklist Step7: Final Product Actualization: Designers in Loop to the End
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Collaborative Craft Design Process
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Exposure & Insights Introductory
Session:
In Craft Innovation Workshops, all participants, facilitators, organisations come from various backgrounds hence an introductory session becomes crucial to create a conducive platform to initiate new sets of ideas. The workshop was facilitated by Ms. Rebecca Reubens representing T U Delft, Rhizome and TBDC, Asst. Prof. Jay Thakkar representing DICRC, Asst. Prof. Shiuli representing the IICD, and Ms. Sonal Mehta representing the TBDC and the Eklavya Foundation. The first input session was an orientation on the institutions involved, namely the DICRC, IICD, DfS, Eklavya Foundation, TBDC and Rhizome. The presentations by each of the institutional representatives brought out the synergies between the mandates of the institutions, which led to them coming together for the Space Making Workshop on bamboo craft. Following this, a sensitization to the concept of sustainability, and the Rhizome Approach was done through presentations, discussions and distribution of a knowledge kit which comprised of studies and documentations done by Rebecca Reubens, including her book ‘Bamboo in Sustainable Design’.
Input Sessions: Through input sessions, the intention is to sensitize the participants towards various issues related to craft and design. The idea is to understand and critically examine them through a diverse range of input and interactive sessions (technical, design, academic and craft related). 17
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These sessions are inclusive in its approach and are often conducted in multiple local languages with a focus on craftspeople. During this workshop,the input sessions conducted were as follows:
Patronizing Crafts through Time
Brij Bhasin Chairperson, Barsana
Brij Bhasin has held several key government positions mandated for the development of the craft sector. He still continues his work of three decades in the craft sector, through his NGO Barsana.
Dr. A. K. Das Professor and Academician
Bamboo: Its Multiple Dimensions in the Material Culture of North East India Dr Aoiswarjya Kumar Das is a cultural anthropologist and museologist. His specialization is tribal art and culture, including folklore. He has conceptualized and developed several museums across the country. The Kotwalia Community of Gujarat
Sonal Mehta Social Activist & Community Expert
Sonal Mehta is a science educator with a strong interest in the environment and communities. She works first hand with marginalized and tribal communities, through her NGO, the Eklavya Foundation. To Craft, By Design
Samir Parker Interior Designer
Samir Parker is an alumnus of the School of Interior Design CEPT University. Since 2000, he has worked with artists, galleries and social and educational institutions developing and executing design strategies.
Bamboo Counts
Prof. Kireet Patel Professor and Academician
Professor Kireet Patel is an academician and founding faculty member of the School of Interior Design having strong base in design theory and a deep interest in crafts
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Prof. M. P Ranjan Design Thinker & Academician
Bamboo & Sustainability: Opportunities for Inclusive Design M P Ranjan is a design thinker with extensive experience in design education and practice. His work extends from design theory to inclusive design action and from development to information technology
Errol Reubens Jr. Architect
Bamboo in Interior Spaces: The Bamboo Canopy Store in Process Errol Reubens, Jr. is an alumnus of the CEPT University, and the University of Lincoln, UK. He works on projects which emphasize experimentation and expression in architecture and design, through his firm ERA Sustainability by Design
Rebecca Reubens Bamboo & Sustainable Design Expert
Rebecca Reubens is an industrial designer whose work in development sector spans the themes of design, craft & sustainability. Her core expertise is bamboo, which she pursues academically & through her practice. In context of human-nature relationship
Asst. Prof. Sankalpa Architect and Academician
Sankalpa Maurya is an Assistant Professor at CEPT University, who is interested in the interconnections between shelter and socio-cultural issues. He has worked in rehabilitating flood affected Kosi region. Craft, Tradition and Culture
Asst. Prof. Shiuli Academician
Shiuli is an Assistant Professor at the Indian Institute of Crafts and Design, Jaipur in India. She is passionate about studying the impact of the changing world on the craft practice.
Application of bamboo in structural systems
Vishal Wadhwani Interior Designer
Vishal Wadhwani is an alumnus of the Faculty of Design, CEPT University. He is passionate about tensegrity, tensile structures and geometry, which he pursues academically and through his practice.
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Site Visits In order to give ample exposure, there are four kinds of site visits which are usually planned during the workshops: Design oriented, Technology Oriented, Culture oriented and Material oriented. In the Bamboo Craft workshop, the participants experienced different scales of bamboo and timber production set-ups during an intensive field visit to Waghai in South Gujarat: consequently they internalized the dynamics of each situation. The interactions with craftspeople helped them experience the lives and culture of the community.With Industry visit the participants could compare the industrialized and craft-based production to consumption systems. During the visit to the Waghai Botanical Gardens, the participants saw different species of bamboo first hand. In the workshop set up, they experienced the evolution of a traditional craft into a craft industry set up, through skill and capacity building. The field Visits were as followed: Workshop
TBDC - Eklavya training and production center, Waghai
Craft Cluster
Bamboo Craft Cluster, Waghai
Settlement
Kotwalia Community Cluster, Azadnagar, Sarkhej
Industry
Waghai Botanical Gardens,Waghai
Industry
Vanil Udhyog: woodworking unit, Vansda
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Interaction & Demonstration The craft processes play a critical role in development and understanding of a craft; hence the demonstration of techniques is taken as a first step in understanding the tactile aspects of craft. The interaction during demonstration builds a deep bond between the artisans and designers. The craftspeople often take pride in sharing their inherited and valuable skills amongst other participants. During the Bamboo craft workshop, the participants were randomly divided in teams consisting of one designer and one craftsperson through an ice breaking game. Several other interactive ice-breaking, psychological profiling and joint brainstorming exercises were facilitated as per the Rhizome Approach. These sessions helped the teams focus on their similarities, instead of their differences. By the end of these sessions, both design and craft participants had slipped into a comfort zone where they could work together as a team, and their similarities outnumbered their differences. While working in a group of two to three, the craftspeople demonstrated the techniques related to bamboo craft in detail. In involved demonstrating the techniques like shaping, splitting, bending, drilling, sanding, weaving, tying, clamping, nailing, stitching etc. The participants were also exposed to various techniques during their site visits to industries and workshops.
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Ideation & Exploration One of the intention of SMC workshops is also to discuss the role of design in craft and to sensitize the participants towards various aspects of design thinking. This was done by varied facilitators. The facilitators comprised of design facilitators who discussed about innovative ideas and new applications, technical facilitators who discussed the material properties and principles of the structure and craft facilitators who discussed tools, techniques and empirical knowledge about craft and community. The process of facilitation in SMC workshop holds a key importance as the intense dialogue and actions between design and craft participants anchored by the facilitators help stimulate various new ideas, process and system which is important for the development of craft. During the ideation process, the facilitators provided inputs to the teams in the areas of their expertise craft, bamboo, sustainability, and interior architecture. This was supplemented by presentations by several experts, each of which offered a different perspective on the production to consumption system. Informal discussions between the participants and speakers allowed for first-hand interaction, and also the opportunity for participants to see different perspectives to the same value chain. The abstract learning through discussions with facilitators and speakers was supplemented by hands-on learning by working with the material.
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Creation & Experimentation The hands-on experimentation and exploration imbibes the understanding of material and its diverse properties. This process is based on the trial and error method where the learning happens while working with the material by hand. The shared method of different people (master craftspeople, craft students, designers etc.) working in one group initiates new discussions and fresh ideas. Also the learning happens at two levels, both at tangible and intangible levels. This process of thinking and making together opens larger avenues for innovation and development. During the Bamboo Craft Workshop, each of the concepts was expressed in 2D though illustrations and sketches, and then in 3D, through scaled models, or working joineries. Having a designer-craftsperson team enabled members to communicate quickly through drawings, and cross check the workability of concepts and details through quick modelling. The constant inputs from the facilitators, and also from the master craftspeople allowed for greater collaboration and points of view. This rigorous process ensured that only the concepts which were workable were shortlisted. These shortlisted concepts were further refined and one concept was finalized per team, which was actualized through a full scale working prototype. The prototypes created during the workshop were analyzed in detail by production and marketing experts. Changes were suggested in order to streamline production, and make the products more cost-effective and commercially viable. 31
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Transmission & Value Building The Craft Innovation Workshops aim to work with traditional craft skills and processes creating new opportunities and possibilities at all levels. The intent is also to nurture within the younger generations the value of the hand skills. Such embedded inheritance about the craft needs to be transmitted which will insure the future/evolution of craft. These craft practices needs to be continued ensuring the transfer of empirical knowledge of craftspeople. The oral transmission of knowledge has a direct influence on the people involved and creates larger and deeper impressions. The idea of working with the craftspeople in their familiar environment creates a natural setting which enables the design participants to learn from them. These workshops also aim at building bonds and forming long term relationships between various craftspeople, craft clusters, designers, professionals and others involved. In the Bamboo Craft Workshop, the constant dialogue between the design and craft participants saw each team exchanging tacit and explicit knowledge. In this sense, the designers backstopped the craftspeople and vice-versa, allowing for a very multidimensional ideation, and innovation process. This dialogue culminated in the creation of 24 products, each developed collaboratively by the designer craftsperson team, with the using hand held and power tools.
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Appreciation At the end, a concluding session becomes important to reflect upon all the key learnings happened during the workshop. The discussions during this session often become a beginning towards taking the craft-design prototpes and ideas forward while reflecting upon the diverse experiences gathered in the workshop. As a token of remembrance and appreciation, the certificate distribution ceremony often leaves deeper impressions and initiates long term associations with all members involved. At the end of Bamboo Craft Workshop,DICRC awarded certificates to the participants in a small ceremony, where both craftspeople and designers shared their experience of the workshop with the group. Each of the 24 products developed during the workshop were self-evaluated evaluated against the checklist by the designers. In addition to this, Sonal Mehta a community expert, and Prof. Kireet Patel who has a huge body of experience in the areas of craft, design and the systems perspective also evaluated the products. The evaluation was interactive, so the designers understood the evaluator’s logic and feedback, for further reference. The findings from the evaluation allowed the designers to reconsider certain aspects of their design, to achieve better holistic sustainability during the final product actualization phase
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Output
37
Craft Design Groups
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Craft Design Prototype Plates
Cradle cum Rocking Stool
Wine Bottle Holder
Multifunctional Stool
Sun Screen
Basket Stand
Knock-down Shelf
40
Ceiling Installation
Modular Triangular Stool
Apple Stool
Knock-down Stool
Corner Table
Customizable Shelving System
41
Kennel
Bed cum Partition
Chair with a tray
Bud Lamp
Folding Stool
Tripod Stool
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Ganesha Sculpture
Track Lights
A Block/Unit/Module
Bed cum Partition
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Craft Design Prototypes
Cradle cum Rocking Stool
Wine Bottle Holder
Multifunctional Stool
Sun Screen
Basket Stand
Knock-down Shelf
Ceiling Installation
Modular Triangular Stool
Corner Table
Apple Stool
44
Spiral Lamp
Knock-down Stool
Customizable Shelving System
Kennel
Bed cum Partition
Chair with a tray
Bud Lamp
Folding Stool
Tripod Stool
Ganesha Sculpture
Track Lights
A Block/Unit/Module
Bed cum Partition
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Craft Design Prototype Evaluation
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Dissemination It is important to make society aware about the value of traditional craft and henceforth dissemination through various mediums like exhibitions, panels, online and print media are essential. On the completion of the Bamboo workshop duration, the conceptual and working prototypes were exhibited at the DICRC. The workshop attracted a plethora of visitors, from design students to curious passerbys to eminent personalities. The response from all of these was very positive. Especially appreciated was the output and learning, both ideological and practical, in so short a time, despite working with a new material. Following the exhibition, the DICRC awarded certificates to the participants in a small ceremony, where both craftspeople and designers shared their experience of the workshop with the group. The products developed were evaluated against the Sustainability Checklist by the design participants, and also external evaluators. Given the paucity of time, the products were refined by a professional team, based on the feedback received and in consultation with the design participants. This involved a rigorous redesign of several of the prototypes, including resolution of aesthetic and functional issues. The redesigned products were modelled in 1:5 scale and will be exhibited in cities in India and abroad. The details are as follows: Dates: Time: Venue:
02nd February 2011 - 05th February 2011 10:00 am - 05:00 pm DICRC, Faculty of Design, CEPT University, Ahmedabad 49
SMC Bamboo Workshop Panels
Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre
Space Making (Bamboo) Craft Workshop - II
Jay Thakkar, Sonal Mehta, Shiuli, Rebecca Reubens
Krishna Shastri
Jagrut Raval
Ishita Shah
Soumya Basnet
Anusha Babel
Tillotam Baraik
Bhavin Panchal
Harshitha G. Raju
Neha Vaid
Mihir Vakharia
Mitraja Vyas
Vrushali Burle
Neeraj Richard Bara
Devanshi Das
Kartick Ghosh
Gaurav Jain
Sangeetha Priya
Rajesh Rasania
Niharika Srivastava
Mohd. Wasif Ahsan
Rachna Ahuja
Krutika Ghawghawe
Rishav Jain
Gaurav Dinodia
Neha Singh
Sri Sowmya Chinta
Ratan Pal
Sudan Rudrapal
Kamalesh Babu
Sheela Kotawalia
Rajesh Nanu
Ranjeeta Kumari
Ambubhai Babu
Sunita Kumari
Sallembhai Shankar
Ripka Aggarwal
Prakash Soma
Sakruben Ambu Bhai
Dhirubhai Karsanbhai
Daniel Kotwalia
Sanjaybhai Kanubhai
Rajesh Chotubhai
Jayesh Mansu
Ethail Ishwar
Bipin Arvind
Jay Singh Bhai
Naresh Masha
Laxman Nausar
Ashokbhai Laloobhai
Dilip Ishwar
Navin Supadia
Nikul Contractor
Bamboo workshop: Craft Design Process
The very versatile nature of Indian crafts was the starting point for a two week long Space Making (Bamboo) Craft Workshop conducted at Design Innovation & Craft Resource Centre at Faculty of Design, CEPT University (Ahmedabad), where bamboo artisans and designers worked together to develop innovative crafted products for today’s markets. Twenty-three design participants included - graduate and post graduate students from the Faculty of Design, Ahmedabad, and from the Indian Institute of Craft and Design (IICD), Jaipur. There were also several professionals from various design backgrounds who participated. The twenty-three bamboo craftsperson participants were from the Kotwalia village (south Gujarat). Along with Prof. Krishna Shastri, the Dean of Faculty of Design and Prof. Jay Thakkar, Head of Research, DICRC, the workshop was facilitated by several institutional persons namely, Rebecca Reubens representing T U Delft and Rhizome, Shiuli representing IICD and Sonal Mehta representing TBDC and Eklavya Foundation. The PhD research by Rebecca Reubens at the Design for Sustainability sub-program at the Technical University of Delft, the Netherlands became instrumental in framing this SMC workshop. The research looks at deconstructing craft as an input into mainstream sustainable design and investigates its potential to impact positively on sustainability and sustainable development. Rhizome framework and Rhizome Approach were the two significant outputs of the research which guided the structure of the workshop. Initially, the participants were exposed first hand, to the life and culture of the craftspeople, through an intensive field visit to Waghai village in south Gujarat. On their return to Ahmedabad, the participants were randomly divided in teams consisting of one designer and one craftsperson. The teams were given expert inputs by resource persons, including 11 eminent professionals, in the field of art, craft, design, bamboo, sustainability, decor, and tribal issues. These different perspectives on the same issue, gave the participants food for thought and in many cases, the participants began formulating and discussing their own definitions and stands on issues like sustainability, craft, and development. The workshop concluded with an exhibition of the conceptual product prototypes at DICRC. Following the exhibition, the products have been refined with the inputs of experts and designers. The products have also been modelled in 1:5 scale and will comprise of a travelling exhibition, which will be exhibited in several cities. Post-workshop, the team of designers at DICRC have put together a researched document on the workshop which analytically explains the material, its tools, forms, techniques and products. Detailed drawings, expressive illustrations and very intimate experiencebased understandings are its highpoints. The final output suggests a successful attempt to bridge the fields of design and craft through a unique composition of research and human skills. Concise Schedule for DICRC Space Making Bamboo Craft Workshop, Faculty of Design, CEPT University Date
Activity
20/01/11
Overview and welcome address- Prof. Krishna Shastri About DICRC+organisations+institutes involved: Asst. Prof. Jay Thakkar, Shiuli, Sonal Mehta, Rebecca Reubens. Student’s sustainability understanding assessment - interactive session, questionnaire, .discussion with Rebecca
21-22/01/11
.Field Trip to Waghai, Dang, South Gujarat
23-30/01/11
Input Sessions : Prof. Kireet Patel (SID, CEPT), Ar. Errol Reubens Jr (Errol Reubens Associates), Prof. M. P Ranjan (Design Thinker and Independent Academic), Asst. Prof. Sankalpa (CEPT University), Mr. Brij Bhasin (Barsana Trust, Rajasthan)ID,Dr. A.K. Das. Vishal Wadhwani (Idea Factor), Asst. Prof. Shiuli (IICD, Jaipur),ID. Samir Parker (SID Alumni / .(Design Professional
31/01/11 1/02/11
Working on Final Finished/working Protoype . Discussion on individual objects for Exhibition for .2nd February 2011
3/02/11
Final Exhibition at DICRC + Closing ceremony + Certificate distribution
Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre, CEPT University, Ahmedabad +079-26302740 Ext- 317, 319 dicrc.cept@gmail.com
Institutional Respresentatives, Publication Team, Design Participants, Craftspeople, and Logistic Staff of the Bamboo Workshop Team.
Prakash Vania
Krishnadas Rao
Chandraben Rao
Dhuljibhai
Government of Gujarat
Eklavya Foundation
Tapini Bamboo Development Centre
Rhizome Consortium
Indian Institute of Craft and Design, Jaipur
Space Making (Bamboo) Craft Workshop - II
Prototypes of the Bamboo Workshop
Prototype Drawings
Exhibition Overview
Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre, CEPT University, Ahmedabad +079-26302740 Ext- 317, 319 dicrc.cept@gmail.com
Product Panels
Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre
Cradle cum Rocking Stool
Final view of the exhibithion
50
Wine Bottle Holder
Multifunctional Stool
Sun Screen
Basket Stand
Knock-down Shelf
Ceiling Installation
Modular Triangular Stool
Corner Table
Apple Stool
Knock-down Stool
Customizable Shelving System
Kennel
Bed cum Partition
Chair with a tray
Bud Lamp
Folding Stool
Tripod Stool
Ganesha Sculpture
Track Lights
A Block/Unit/Module
Bed cum Partition
Spiral Lamp
SMC Bamboo Workshop Flyer
SPACE MAKING (BAMBOO) CRAFT WORKSHOP
Concise Schedule for DICRC Space Making Bamboo Craft Workshop, Faculty of Design, CEPT University
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Date 20/01/11
Space Making (Bamboo) Craft Workshop was organized by : Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC), Faculty of Design, CEPT University, Ahmedabad in collaboration with Eklavya Foundation - Tapini Bamboo Development Centre (TBDC), Rhizome Consortium, Ahmedabad and Sustainability expert from the Technical University, Delft, The Netherlands and Indian Institute of Craft and Design (IICD), Jaipur. Space Making (Bamboo) Craft Workshop is a component of the ‘Design Innovation and Documentation of Space Making Crafts of Gujarat’ project of (DICRC). This workshop is a collaborative work done over a period of fifteen days (20th Jan 2011 – 1st Feb 2011) by design participants and kotwalia community craftspeople. This first of its kind attempt, aims to provide a platform for professionals, craftspeople, design students and other institutions to interact.
CEPT University Ahmedabad
SID Research Cell
Eklavya Foundation
Tapini Bamboo Development Centre
Rhizome Consortium
Indian Institute of Craft and Design, Jaipur,
Activity Overview and welcome address- Prof. Krishna Shastri About DICRC+organisations+institutes involved: Asst. Prof. Jay Thakkar, Shiuli, Sonal Mehta, Rebecca Reubens. Student’s sustainability understanding assessment - interactive session, questionnaire, discussion with Rebecca. 21/01/11- 22/01/11 Field Trip to Waghai, Dang, South Gujarat. 23/01/11- 30/01/11 Input Sessions : Prof. Kireet Patel (SID, CEPT), Ar. Errol Reubens Jr (Errol Reubens Associates), Prof. M. P Ranjan (Design Thinker and Independent Academic), Asst. Prof. Sankalpa (CEPT University), Mr. Brij Bhasin (Barsana Trust, Rajasthan)ID,Dr. A.K. Das. Vishal Wadhwani (Idea Factor), Asst. Prof. Shiuli (IICD, Jaipur),ID. Samir Parker (SID Alumni / Design Professional). 31/01/11 Working on Final Finished/working Protoype. 1/02/11 Discussion on individual objects for Exhibition for 2nd February 2011. 2/02/11- 3/02/11 Final Exhibition at DICRC + Closing ceremony + Certificate distribution
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From left to right: A.1 Prof. Krishna Shashtri, B.1. Asst. Prof. Jay Thakkar, C.1.Rebbecca Reubens, D.1.Sonal Mehta, E.1.Shiuli, F.1.Soumya Basnet, A.2.Jagrut Raval, B.2.Ishita Shah, C.2.Ratan Pal D.2.Sudhan Rudrapal, E.2. Prakash Vaniya, F.2.Nikul Contractor, A.3.Krishnadas Rao, B.3.Chandraben Rao, C.3.Tillottam Kumar Baraik, D.3.Gaurav Rajender, E.3.Gaurav Jain, F.3.Krutika ghawghawe, A.4.Rachna Ahuja, B.4.Mihir Vakharia, C.4.Harshitha Raju, D.4.Vrushali Babanrao Burlee, E.4.Neha Singh, F.4. Manu Narendran, A.5. Sree Sowmya Chinta, B.5.Anusha Yashwant Babel, C.5.Mr. Rajesh Rasania, D.5.Bhavin Panchal, E.5.Niharika Srivastava, F.5.Kartick Ghosh, A.6.Kartick Ghosh, B.6.Mohd Wasif Ahsan, C.6.Sangeetha Priya, D.6.Neha Korde, E.6.Devanshi Das, F.6.Mitraja Jatin Vyas, A.7.Rishav Jain, B.7.Sheela Kotwadia, C.7.Laxman Nausar, D.7. Jay Singh, E.7.Sunita Kumari, F.7. Ranjeeta Kumari, A.8. Ripka Agarwal B.8. Ashokbhai Laloobhai Kotawalia, C.8. Dillip Ishwar, D.8.Bipin Arvind, E.8. Kamlesh Babu, F.8. Rajesh Chotubhai, A.9. Rajesh Nanu, B.9. Jayesh Mansu, C.9. Dhirubhai Karsanbhai, D.9.Prakash Soma, E.9. Ethail Ishwar, F.9. Sanjaybhai Kanubhai, A.10. Daniel Kotawalia, B.10. Sakruben Ambubhai, C.10. Naresh Masha D.10.Salimbhai Shankar, E.10. Ambubhai Babu, F.10. Navin Supadia.
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The Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC), Faculty of Design, CEPT University: Aims to function as an interface for the development of regional Space Making Crafts through documentation, craft cluster mapping, training and workshops, and Craft-Design innovation. The importance of craft as a means of livelihood, and sustainability is also being considered simultaneously by DICRC through this process.
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Eklavya Foundation, Tapini Bamboo Development Centres (TBDC): The Kotwalia crafts community, which are the community stakeholders in the process, were represented by the Tapini Bamboo Development Center (TBDC) which is the only dedicated bamboo based NGO in Gujarat, looking at consolidating the bamboo sector. TBDC is supported by the National Mission for Bamboo Applications (NMBA) for its activities to mainstream the craft of the Kotwalia community in a sustainable manner through design and innovation. Rhizome Consortium and Sustainability expert from T U Delft, The Netherlands: The basic workshop structuring has been done in conjunction with Rebecca Reubens, an expert in the field of bamboo and sustainability linked to CEPT University as a resource person, and whose international career in bamboo based development has spanned a decade. There is a tremendous resonance between her PhD research at the DfS (Design for Sustainability) department at the Technical University of Delft, the Netherlands, on craft communities, design and sustainability and the vision of DICRC. Indian Institute of Craft and Design (IICD): Indian Institute of Craft and Design (IICD) is an institution that is synthesizing traditional knowledge and skills with contemporary needs to evolve methodologies that are relevant to modern India. Workshop Details : Institutional Representatives: Prof. Krishna Shashtri, Asst. Prof. Jay Thakkar, Rebbeca Reubens, Sonal Mehta, Shiuli Documentation Team: Soumya Basnet, Jagrut Raval, Ishita Shah Speakers: Prof. Kireet Patel, Prof. M P Ranjan, Mr. Brij Bhasin, Asst. Prof. Sankalpa, Asst. Prof. Shiuli, Mr. Samir Parker, Mr. Vishal Wadhwani, Mr. Errol Reubens Jr., Dr. A.K.Das. Logistics and Coordination: Krishnadas Rao, Chandraben Rao, Prakash, Nikul Contractor, Kaushik Chaudhary, Dhuljibhai.
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3 The Exhibition for Space Making Bamboo Workshop
Prosumer: A.1.Stool - Mitraja Vyas, Salimbhai Shankar. B.1.Modular Triangular stool - Harshita G. Raju, Ranjeeta Kumari. C.1.Bed cum Partition - Mihir Vkharia, Sunita Kumari. D.1.Folding stool - Neha Vaid, Ambubhai Babu. A.2.Bed cum Partition - Anusha Babel, Kamlesh Babu. B.2.Table + Stool + Storage - Tilottam Kro Baraik, Sheela Kotwadia. C.2.Partition and storage - Bhavin Hasmukhbhai Panchal, Rajesh Nanu. Glocal: D.2.Cradle cum rocking stool - Richard Bara, Prakash Soma. A.3.Foldable Stool Niharika Shrivastava, Jayesh Mansu. B.3.Chair - Rajesh Rasania, Rajesh Chotubhai. C.3.Track lights for exhibition spaces - Vrushali Babanrao Burlee, Ripka Agarwal. D.3.Modular Customizable shelving - Sangeetha Priya, Sanjaybhai Kanubhai. A.4.Side Table - Gaurav Jain, Daniel Kotwalia. B.4.Shelf (knockdown) - Kartick Ghosh, Dhirubhai Karsanbhai. C.4. Screen - Devanshi Das, Sakruben Ambubhai. Expressive: D.4.Lamp - Mohd. Wasim Ahsan, Ethail Ishwar. A.5.Light Installation - Neha Singh, Ashokbhai Kotwadia. B.5.Spiral staircase - Manu Narendran, Navin Supadia. C.5. Wall installation cum wine bottle holder - Rachna Ahuja, Bipin Arvind. D.5.Idol of lord Ganesh - C. Shree Sowmya, Dilip Ishwar. A.6.Stool - Rishav Jain, Naresh Masha. B.6.Ceiling installation - Krutika V. Ghawghawe, Jaysingh Bhai. C.6.Dog HouseGaurav Rajinder, Laxman Nausar. D.6. Lamp - Soumya Basnet, Rajesh Nanu.
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Address: DICRC, Faculty of Design, CEPT University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. 380009. Contact: Prof. Krishna Shashtri- 07926306652 (krishnasid2002@yahoo.com), Asst. Prof. Jay Thakkar- 919825299525(jaythakkar@naqsh.in), Rebecca Reubens- 919426509927 (rreubens@gmail.com), Sonal Mehta: 919825095293(sonal.eklavya@gmail.com), PG Coordinator Shiuli-09672754443(shiuli@iicd.ac.in),,
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SMC Bamboo Workshop Media
Ba mb o o Cra f t : Bi n d i n g t h e Kn o t
Rebecca Reubens Rebecca Reubens is an industrial designer who has worked extensively in the fields of design, craft and sustainability. A large part of her work has been for the development sector, as an expert consultant for projects involving international institutions such as INBAR, and UNIDO. Her work across Asia, Africa and Europe has involved interfacing with several national governments alongside local NGO’s and SMEs. Her core expertise is bamboo and rattan. She began her journey with these materials as a student of the National Institute of Design (NID) in India, following which she worked with the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) for seven years. Her work entailed providing support to bamboo craftspeople in Asia, Africa and Latin America, to enable them to re-contextualize their craft. She is currently pursuing her PhD in the Netherlands, with the department of Design for Sustainability at the Delft University of Technology on the linkages between sustainability, design and development through the medium of bamboo. She is visiting faculty at NID, and IICD, and has mentored several students from different design institutes in Asia and Europe. Her academic publications include a book, articles and several scientific and technical papers; which she has presented at various national and international forums.She has her independent sustainable design practice in Ahmedabad, where she works through her firm Rhizome. Her passion is working hands on with SMEs, to collaboratively design products that take into consideration the social and cultural aspects of sustainability alongside the ecological and economic factors.
Jay Thakkar
Space Making Craft Workshop - 2
Ba m b oo Cra f t : Bi n din g t h e K n o t SID Research Cell Faculty of Design CEPT University, Ahmedabad, India
Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre CEPT University Ahmedabad
Jay Thakkar is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Design, and the Research Head of the Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC) at CEPT University, Ahmedabad, India. He consults professionally in the areas of visual communication, traditional building practices and craft. He completed his diploma in Interior Design from the School of Interior Design, CEPT University in India. Following this, he pursued and completed his Masters in Visual Communication from the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD) in the United Kingdom. He was awarded gold medals for his research work, both from the School of Interior Design, CEPT University and the Gujarat Institute for Civil Engineers and Architects (GICEA). He is the author of two books. His first publication in 2004, titled ‘Naqsh: The Art of Wood Carving of Traditional Houses of Gujarat – Focus on Ornamentation’ was showcased at the Gujarat Government’s Swarnim Gujarat celebrations. His second book published in 2008, titled, “Matra: Ways of Measuring Vernacular Built Forms of Himachal Pradesh” won a Critic’s Choice Award. This national level award was presented by ArchiDesign Awards for Excellence in Architecture and Infrastructure, organized by the Foundation of Architecture and Environmental Awareness. He has worked on various design, craft and research projects in India and Britain. He has been actively affiliated with different universities and organisations in India, Europe, and Australia; and has published and presented papers, delivered lectures, organised field research and mentored many students. He is passionate about travelling, photography and his culinary skills.
Space Making Craft Workshop - 2 Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC)
Front cover
Ba mb o o Cra f t: Bin din g th e Kn o t
g Bamboo Craft Workshop
atile nature of Indian crafts was the starting point for a two ace Making (Bamboo) Craft Workshop conducted at DICRC at sign, CEPT University (Ahmedabad), where bamboo artisans worked together to develop innovative crafted products for ts. Twenty-three design participants included - graduate and students from the Faculty of Design, Ahmedabad, and from itute of Craft and Design (IICD), Jaipur. There were also several rom various design backgrounds who participated. The twentycraftsperson participants were from the Kotwalia village (south
of. Krishna Shastri, the dean of Faculty of Design and Prof. Jay researcher of DICRC, the workshop was facilitated by several ersons namely, Rebecca Reubens representing T U Delft and uli representing IICD and Sonal Mehta representing TBDC Foundation. The PhD research by Rebecca Reubens at the stainability sub-program at the Technical University of Delft, ds became instrumental in framing this SMC workshop. The at deconstructing craft as an input into mainstream sustainable estigates its potential to impact positively on sustainability and velopment. Rhizome framework and Rhizome Approach were cant outputs of the research which guided the structure of the ially, the participants were exposed first hand, to the life and craftspeople, through an intensive field visit to Waghai village in On their return to Ahmedabad, the participants were randomly ms consisting of one designer and one craftsperson.
Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC) CEPT University Ahmedabad, India Web: www.cept.ac.in Email: dicrc@cept.ac.in Phone: +91 79 26302470, Extension: 317, 319
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Bamboo Craft: Binding the Knot, Book under process of publication by DICRC 52
Space Making Craft Workshop - 2
ere given expert inputs by resource persons, including 11 ssionals, in the field of art, craft, design, bamboo, sustainability, bal issues. These different perspectives on the same issue, cipants food for thought and in many cases, the participants ating and discussing their own definitions and stands on issues ility, craft, and development. The workshop concluded with of the conceptual product prototypes at DICRC. Following , the products have been refined with the inputs of experts . The products have also been modelled in 1:5 scale and will travelling exhibition, which will be exhibited in several cities. p, the team of designers at DICRC have put together a researched the workshop which analytical explains the material, its tools, ques and products. Detailed drawings, expressive illustrations mate experience-based understandings are its highpoints. The uggests a successful attempt to bridge the fields of design and a unique composition of research and human skills.
SID Research Cell Faculty of Design CEPT University, Ahmedabad, India
Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre CEPT University Ahmedabad
Bamboo Diaries, Art Kitli, Vol II, March 2011, CEPT University, Ahmedabad
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View of the Exhibition 55
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Bamboo Craft Workshop team 57
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For more information visit www.dicrc.in
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Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre (DICRC), CEPT University, Ahmedabad Contact :+079-26302470 Ext- 380, 381 , email: dicrc@cept.ac.in 60