AJRAKH
INTRODUCTION Ajrakh means ‘blue’ or ‘leave it for today’ due to it’s tedious process. Sindh has been known for its crafts since times immemorial. The early settlers in Indus valley were expert craftsmen. Ajrak is a textile with dominant hues of rich crimson and deep indigo. In arabic, the word means blue. Ajrak is an all purpose cloth and is used by both men and women. It is very commonly spread as bed sheets and coverlet. The craft of block printing is nearly as old as spinning and weaving. Ajrak, today, in Sindh has become a symbol of Sindhi culture. It meets an emotional demand aimed at depicting live and attachment to soil of Sindh. The process of Ajrak is very complicated and long and it generally takes 20-30 days for the Ajrak print to get ready.
WHAT ALL I’VE DONE
The textile item that I got is Ajrak. Ajrak is a textile of Sindh, Pakistan. It is a unique combination of hand block printing and resist dyeing. The original Ajrakh textile uses blue or red vegetable dyes, is printed on both sides where the pattern on one side of the fabric is precisely replicated, line by line, dot for dot, on the other, ‘reverse’, side. Historically, the craft was practiced along the banks of the River Indus now divided between India and Pakistan. The process of Ajrak is a lengthy one and includes 14 steps. It has a large central body, composed of repeated block prints, followed by multiple borders. Fine cotton cloth is used to print. The influence of Islam, especially Sufism is seen in many Ajrakh designs common today especially architectural motifs from the Islamic tradition. Unlike many crafts, Ajrak has survived with much of its traditions intact, although modern screen-printing technology has affected the output of traditional Ajrakh. Today, Ajrak has a large domestic and international clientele.
WHAT ALL I’LL DO
AJRAKH X KIKUYU TRIBE
The mashup that I’ve done is of Ajrakh and the Kikuyu tribe. My client is Kim Kardashian. The kind of end product I’ll be making is an accessory with a cloth piece in which the motifs will be inspired from the faces of these people but the process will remain that of Ajrakh. The similarity between both cultures is the kind of colors used use of motifs. The mashup of both the cultures with Kim being the client seemed to be an interesting concept.
KIKUYU TRIBE
Kikuyu tribe is a Bantu tribe and has migrated from Lake Chad, South Africa around 1200-1600 AD. It occupies 22% of Kenya’s population. The tribe is concentrated around Mount Kenya which is a highland area in the South Central part of Kenya. The founder of this tribe is a man called ‘Gikuyu’ with his wife Mumbi who were created by God. The tribe has notable personalities like the first and third president of Kenya were Kikuyus. Kikuyu women are said to be beautiful, hardworking, confident and self-reliant. The kikuyu music is known as Mugithi which is accompanied by guitars and dances and are generally played at ceremonies and clubs. Their creator or God is Ngai and are superstitious people. The majority of people are Christians. They are also known for their industrious nature and the main economic activity is agriculture. They have a family oriented government and has a council of elders. Women of this tribe wear full body covered clothes with a Shuka tied on the left shoulder which extends till ankle. Men gernerally wear skins around their waist and are bare chested. The face painting they do is detailed but raw at the same time.
KENYAN MAP WITH KIKUYU TRIBE MARKED ON IT AND COMPRISES 22% OF POPULATION KIKUYU FOOD IS “IRIO” WHICH IS A COMBINATION OF MAIZE, BEANS AND POTATOES MASHED TOGETHER. ACCESSORIES THEY WEAR ARE EARINGS, NECKLACES, BRACELETS, ANKLETS MADE FROM MULTI COLOURED BEADS AND COWRIE SHELLS. THE ELABORATE MAKEUP WITH MAIN COLORS USED AS RED AND WHITE.
the symbolic dances they do for welcoming, warrior dance, dance of love. LIVE IN KARGE ROUND HUT-LIKE HOUSES REFERRED TO AS “NYUMBA” WHICH HAS IONLY ONE ENTRANCE.
KIKUYU CHILDREN WEAR SKINS AROUND THEIR WAIST AND NORMALLY NO CLOTH ON UPPER BODY. KIKUYU TRADITIONAL SKIRT, MUTHURU IS A SIMPLE LEATHER WRAP AROUND ACCOMPANIED BY A SOFT LEATHER PUBIC APRON. KIKUYU HUSBAND AND WIFE KIKUYU HEADGEARS
MOOD BOARD
The mood of the visual board is very raw and precise at the same time. It is structure-oriented as well as graphic-oriented. The basic mood that comes out is the use of face painting and colors along with ajrak. It also shows individuality and expression of personality. It embraces the tribal as well as galaxy-like culture.
CONCEPT BOARD
The concept of the board is basically the combination of Kenya’s tribe and Ajrakh together and to correlate them together. The technique or process will be of Ajrak but the motifs will be inspired from the face painting of the Kikuyu tribe. Using this, it will be converted into an accessory cum cloth piece for the client.
AGE: 37 PLACE OF BIRTH: LA, CALIFORNIA, US OCCUPATION: TELEVISION PERSONALITY CHILDREN: 3 INCOME: $45.5 MILLION(2016) HEIGHT: 157cm WEIGHT: 53 kg CLOTHING: Wears body fitting clothes and is all about nudity
CLIENT BOARD
Kim Kardashian is a fashion icon and taking somebody like her as a client for a mashup outcome would give good results. She wears body fitting clothes and I wanted to design something which goes with her personality as well as with both the cultures. Being a fashion icon, she would always want to try something new. Also, giving a contrast to her western look, this will give her an ethnic look. Seeing her popularity, it would also spread the look at a fast rate.
E X P L O R A T I O N S
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REFERENCING 2 RESEARCH BOARDS: 1. Kasidah, (2018), kikuyu people [ONLINE]. Available at: https://i.pinimg.com/564x/85/a0/06/85a00612ce47b0d82ac145cb5c2862b5.jpg [Accessed 11 October 2018]. 2. ena satin, (2018), african design [ONLINE]. Available at: https://i.pinimg.com/564x/c2/88/5c/c2885c510ad2309a4d1ce8ff912e1176.jpg [Accessed 11 October 2018]. 3. Monika etttin, (2018), Africa pre 95 [ONLINE]. Available at: https://i.pinimg.com/564x/ed/90/a4/ed90a4dacc7cbd4e249fdcd7f6d6d93f.jpg [Accessed 11 October 2018]. 4. Mombasa, (2018), Ngomongo Cultural Tour-With Lunch. [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.chinesekenyadestinations.com/images/ngomongo_village_mombasa.jpg [Accessed 11 October 2018]. 5. Monika etttin, (2018), Kenya and Tanzania [ONLINE]. Available at: https://i.pinimg.com/564x/5c/ de/83/5cde832b2d206a71033108e790485f42.jpg [Accessed 11 October 2018]. 6. Tastespotting, (2018), Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Vegetables Kenyan Recipe [ONLINE]. Available at: http://images.tastespotting.com/uploads/thumbnail/659504.jpg [Accessed 11 October 2018]. 7. Patrick engel, (2018), kikuyu dance [ONLINE]. Available at: https://i1.trekearth.com/photos/71522/kikuyu.jpg [Accessed 11 October 2018] 8. pinterest, (2018), ethnic jewelry [ONLINE]. Available at: https://i.pinimg.com/236x /57/01/03/5701033cff9d8b6b4442b9b36509c3b5--the-weekly-tribal-style.jpg [Accessed 11 October 2018]. 9. lonely planet, (2018), witch doctor [ONLINE]. Available at: https://in.pinterest.com/ pin/145522631679886273/?lp=true [Accessed 11 October 2018] 10. Sergio, (2018), tribe [ONLINE]. Available at: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/61/b7/65/61b7654b3de30c24e10586c03ae4a893.jpg [Accessed 11 October 2018]. 11. Margaret, (2018), kenya [ONLINE]. Available at: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OJJ6Qcg-HfE/TiqM2GByzKI/ AAAAAAAAQeM/RHbfnt88lx8/s1600/Kikuyu-Map.jpg [Accessed 11 October 2018]. 12. Monika etttin, (2018), guerrier kikuyu [ONLINE]. Available at: https://evelynedubos.aminus3.com/image/2011-03-13.html [Accessed 11 October 2018].
MOOD BOARD: 1. Denisa strakova, (2018), nawa tribe [ONLINE]. Available at: https://i.pinimg.com/564x/55/6d/ aa/556daa287406b39e49b1699d5f4d7cc3.jpg [Accessed 16 October 2018]. 2. Adrian, (2018), Macbeth [ONLINE]. Available at: https://i.pinimg.com/564x/7d/35/51/7d3551a02ac772cb6104047a15cedbc5.jpg [Accessed 16 October 2018]. 3. Mario gerth, (2018), maydo [ONLINE]. Available at: https://i.pinimg.com/564x/53/1f/e5/531fe5c3a64f418763687dd8f62a6d8d.jpg [Accessed 16 October 2018]. 4. jaypore, (2018), maroon blue ajrakh [ONLINE]. Available at: https://static.jaypore.com/tr:w-500,h-662/media/catalog/product/g/v/gvkhoj000145751-2_2.jpg [Accessed 16 October 2018]. 5. tirzah legg, (2018), tribal makeup [ONLINE]. Available at: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d4/e5/b6/d4e5b6cf4b1e1c61aaba4492e4fc814d.jpg [Accessed 16 October 2018]. 6. Cheryl higgins, (2018), tribal face paint [ONLINE]. Available at: https://i.pinimg.com/564x/80/bf/5b/80bf5b22bfdc21c5e81976f05f0e4ef1.jpg [Accessed 16 October 2018]. 7. Taylor, (2018), Indus Valley civilisation [ONLINE]. Available at: https://taylorscloth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/civ15-1000x1000.jpg [Accessed 16 October 2018]. CONCEPT BOARD: 1. MELINDA yaskoff, (2018), PAINTED FACE [ONLINE]. Available at: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/63/84/4a/63844af1e0315bcb836756242f01ec70.jpg [Accessed 16 October 2018]. 2. pinterest, (2018), sacred geometry [ONLINE]. Available at: https://i.pinimg.com/736x/49/4f/b6/494fb6f9bd8a198e37108b51f7fe162a--watercolor-mandala-watercolor-paintings.jpg [Accessed 16 October 2018]. 3. complex city, (2018), brain pickings [ONLINE]. Available at: https://i1.wp.com/www.brainpickings.org/wp-content/ uploads/2009/05/complexcity_rome.jpg?w=500&ssl=1 [Accessed 16 October 2018]. 4. lee jang sub, (2018), organic urban pattern [ONLINE]. Available at: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/70/36/b4/7036b44012f75c1c2e281138086531b7.jpg [Accessed 16 October 2018]. 5. unknown, (2018), kenya flag [ONLINE]. Available at: http://imgkenya.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/flag_ken. png [Accessed 16 October 2018]. 6. wattpad, (2018), galaxy [ONLINE]. Available at: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/21/01/8b/21018bfc73e4ee2f1148dfd80c39069d.jpg [Accessed 16 October 2018]
7. Jenny, (2018), hand block printing [ONLINE]. Available at: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gJHB4Olxce0/TJjV66HfqjI/ AAAAAAAAAA0/GvalotHcopU/s1600/Ajrakh-prints_9895.jpg [Accessed 16 October 2018]. 8. pinterest, (2018), colours [ONLINE]. Available at: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/45/bb/43/45bb4340afd2730ab03870fdb2d6be21.jpg [Accessed 16 October 2018]. CLIENT BOARD: 1. KIM K, (2018), STYLE UK [ONLINE]. Available at: https://www.geek.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/kim-kardashian.jpg [Accessed 16 October 2018]. 2. kim k, (2018), TWITTER [ONLINE]. Available at: https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1044786302443372544/ 3bIbMHgS_400x400.jpg [Accessed 16 October 2018]. 3. kim k, (2018), strapless dress [ONLINE]. Available at: https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/27-kim-kardashian-1513176812.jpg [Accessed 16 October 2018]. 4. kim k, (2018), nude [ONLINE]. Available at: https://s1.tchkcdn.com/g-yQIjqACBbnf-1YmYM3Nx9w/13/590910/155x200/f/0/0d7_2.jpg [Accessed 16 October 2018]. 5. kim k, (2018), abroad centre [ONLINE]. Available at: https://nyppagesix.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/kim-kardashian1.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&strip=all [Accessed 16 October 2018]. 6. kim k, (2018), neon [ONLINE]. Available at: https://akns-images.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/2018717/ rs_600x600-180817071447-600-Kim-Kardashian-Neon-Green-Sighting-Miami-LT-081718.jpg?fit=around|700:700&crop =700:700;center,top&output-quality=90 [Accessed 16 October 2018]. 7. kim k, (2018), logo [ONLINE]. Available at: https://www.dafont.com/forum/attach/orig/2/3/238391.png [Accessed 16 October 2018]. 8. kim k, (2018), tiffany and co [ONLINE]. Available at: https://i1.wp.com/tops-from-world.tk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/thank-you-tiffanyandco-for-having-me-at-your-beautiful-blue-book-event-and-letting-me-wear-some. jpg?fit=1080%2C1350&ssl=1 [Accessed 16 October 2018] 9. kim k, (2018), nude [ONLINE]. Available at: https://i.redd.it/djkop8tr4fq11.jpg [Accessed 16 October 2018]. 10. Screenshot from Instagram
ANNEXURE