Chinese Arts and Crafts Fair /Prototyping
The prototyping phase is the most important test in order to understand if a scenario can eventually be realized and become a real solution.
Moreover its the best source for direct feedbacks and observations that will lead to the development of the final solution.
In the case of Craftlive scenario, the prototyping phase was possible and mainly carried out thanks to the initiative of Yolanda Von Hagen, a German photographer and designer with a long experience in China and a real commitment for traditional culture. Tired of repetitive western events of design proposing always the same authors, and sad about living in a community so incredibly cut out from real culture expressions, incapable of understanding and embrace the place they live in, Yolanda felt the urge to propose an alternative, letting me in to witness and help. This is how the first edition of Chinese Arts and Crafts Fair came to life.
Moreover its the best source for direct feedbacks and observations that will lead to the development of the final solution.
In the case of Craftlive scenario, the prototyping phase was possible and mainly carried out thanks to the initiative of Yolanda Von Hagen, a German photographer and designer with a long experience in China and a real commitment for traditional culture. Tired of repetitive western events of design proposing always the same authors, and sad about living in a community so incredibly cut out from real culture expressions, incapable of understanding and embrace the place they live in, Yolanda felt the urge to propose an alternative, letting me in to witness and help. This is how the first edition of Chinese Arts and Crafts Fair came to life.
The fair was organized inside Jiashan Market, an urban space in South Shaanxi Road (French Concession), hidden inside quiet lanes and hosting a vibrant community. Cafés, restaurants, small shops and creative businesses create a comfortable niche among the local Chinese community living in the shikumen houses surrounding the space. The atmosphere is relaxing and lively at the same time, enclosed in a relatively small area and hosting already different events involving sustainable and local matters, like the farmers market every months.
The organization included a stand and a meal to each participant for a small amount of money. Some of the participants were performing live their craft and a small workshop was set with the collaboration of one of the craftsman (Benny Peng) who provided people with materials and instructions to create their own handmade objects. The whole event was animated with live music by Chinese performers using traditional instruments. The participants were directly found and contacted by Yolanda to take part in the event for the whole day, except the music performers who participate respectively half day each. Being the first edition of the fair it was quite hard to find enough people to include in the event, especially due to the lack of appropriate channels or networks to get in touch with traditional crafts and local artists. It resulted easier to include creative people producing original handicrafts. At the end a good mix was created of traditional craft and creative products. The event saw the participation of few traditional artisans, different Chinese creative people presenting original products and few western designers. The feedback from the people was very encouraging, visitors loved the place, the atmosphere and the things they saw. Many of them actually came to check on traditional crafts, which means there's a good interest on the topic from the local community. The market became an excuse to share and exchange knowledge: visitors were engaged in conversation with craftsmen and musicians, asking questions and even trying to play the instruments! My contribution was pretty small, all the merit goes to Yolanda and Elise who organized the event, and the businesses of Jiashan Market who agreed to take part in the fair. I dearly hope there are more fairs to come, maybe with the opportunity to include a higher number of traditional craftsmen to really enhance a new dynamic exchange among the local community, starting an interesting cultural system from the neighborhood! |
A super big thank you to Yolanda for letting me in and allow me to see a beautiful idea become true!
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