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Story by
keithrecker,
mtraub
Published on August 12, 2009 in Craftivism |
Photo by |
I was wandering through the craftivism blogosphere when I discovered the online and print publication, HAND/EYE. HAND/EYE explores the intersection of design, development, culture, commerce, art, craft, environment, and ethics. Featuring inspiring articles on traditional textiles and philanthropic fashion, HAND/EYE seemed like it could not be more relevant to Etsy. Founder and Editor Keith Recker kindly answered some questions for us on responsible consumerism and the future of design. Below the interview, check out "Happy Chaos," an article from their current issue that profiles a studio in Cape Town making housewares from discarded fabric scraps.
Tell us a little bit about HAND/EYE. What do you hope readers will get out of it?
HAND/EYE grew out of 20 years of volunteering, giving, and board service, and consulting with several non-profits devoted to artisan development — including Aid to Artisans, SERRV, The Kentucky Craft Marketing Program, Brandaid Project, and CARE International. I learned about the cultural riches being put to gorgeous use all over the world, and was surprised at how little most North Americans knew about the handmade world. Awareness and understanding are certainly better than they were 20 years ago, but I saw an opportunity to talk about the great intersecting points between art, craft, design, philanthropy and enlightened consumption...and HAND/EYE was born.
I hope that readers will see things that inspire them to create, to learn more, and to support what they are drawn to through their charitable giving or their purchasing.
Why do you think publications like HAND/EYE are important for our society?
We are all yearning for new ways to feel connected to what we eat, what we wear, what we see and hear. Our easy-to-buy and easy-to-toss society has created a strange alienation: we are so separate from the source of what we consume that we are not satisfied by all the buying we do. Quantity and quality have parted ways on many levels. If we can reapproach the things we surround ourselves with through an understanding of the traditions and innovations they express, and of the people and processes who produce them, we will be more thoughtful about what we buy, and better appreciate what we have. On a purely cultural level, learning about how and why people make things can only enhance our own creativity — as we make things ourselves, or even as we problem-solve in our daily lives.
How do you envision the future of design, craft, and retail?
I think that in about 20 years, every discretionary purchasing decision will be accompanied by questions about who makes the goods, how they make them, the cultural and economic background behind the making, and the environmental impact of production and disposal. We will need stories to nourish us and ground us. And we will need answers to justify our purchases.
Where's the most surprisingly eco-friendly place you've visited?
Africa, without a doubt, because the concept of waste is so different from a North American point of view. Refuse becomes fertilizer. Trash becomes treasure. Creativity IS survival.
What can artists and crafters do to make their work more ethically and environmentally friendly?
Paying attention to the materials one uses is, of course, an important step. As is controlling wastes and disposal of them. Supporting other makers whose circumstances are challenging is a fantastic way to connect to other creative souls on the planet. Getting involved as a volunteer is one of the most enriching experiences I have ever had: there is no learning like that which happens side by side with someone whose know-how and perspective is different, but whose goals and desires are so similar.
What have you found to be most inspiring from your work on HAND/EYE?
The creative community, from individual crafters to "big-time" decorators and fashion designers, is hungry for ideas and information. The desire to know and understand is universally human, and it gives me hope for the future. If we reach out to learn about others and their traditions, we build a web of respect which will support deep, meaningful, lasting human progress.
Anything else you'd like to add?
HAND/EYE's most recent issue is all about art, craft, design, and philanthropy unfolding in Africa — and we still have a few copies left, though we will be sold out, at latest, by the end of September. The next issue talks about The Future of Folk — about how folk traditions and processes are evolving to address new ideas, new materials, new influences, new customers, and new relevancies. It will be out in early November 2009. After that...possibly an entire edition devoted to the ancient (yet thriving) artisanry of Central Asia.
We would love to have everyone subscribe online here.
If you have suggestions on articles for future print or online efforts, please email me at keith@handeyemagazine.com. Check us out on Twitter, too: we are about to stage a competition for best folk-influenced outfit. It should be fun.
Happy Chaos
by Karen Gibbs
Photo by Edward Addeo for HAND/EYE
"If we don’t find ways of improving people’s lives, it will affect us negatively. If we do, it gives everyone involved nourishment, learning. And purpose." — Adri Shutz
Spinning straw into gold: that’s what they do at Cape Town’s Mielie Studio. Scraps from South Africa’s fashion and textile industries become hooked rugs, handbags, pillows, and very stylish ottomans like the Fluffball shown above.
Founder Adri Shutz, who defines her style as “happy chaos,” started her business in 2002 as a way of combining her love of color, fibers and fabrics, with her awareness of the need for social change and environmental responsibility. “You can’t live in South African and not be affected by poverty — whether it’s through crime or doing something good or just seeing what’s going on around you.
“But along with the difficulties, you see right away that the most amazing traditions of beading and sewing and design are handed from generation to generation by the poorer people of our country.” Shutz dove into the idea of starting an artisan-based business without any formal business training. Seven years later Mielie now employs 50 South Africans.
The Fluffball is just one of many designs brought to fruition by Adri and the artisans she works with. Their partnership does not stop at fabric and fiber goods, however. The latest joint effort is a plentiful organic garden, whose fruits and vegetables are shared by everyone working at Mielie. “It’s a way of addressing the economic situation right now. If we can’t create demand, we can create a way of making everyone’s cash go further by putting food on the table.
“What really turns us on, though, is creating something beautiful from stuff no one wants anymore. And it really is a turn on. When you see, for example, all the yellow scraps gathered from all the gown makers who work with us, it’s like a humming bird for your eyes. They shimmer.”
But perhaps not as much as Adri and her comrades busy at their work.
Photos by Adri Shutz
To purchase the Fluffball, contact Amaridian Gallery at www.amaridianusa.com.
For more information about Mielie Studios, visit www.mielie.com.
More Craftivism Posts | Environmentally Friendly Gift Guide | Shop Local Africa
| Tags | activism, Africa, art, charity, commerce, CRAFTIVISM, culture, design, development, environment, ethics, eye, hand, handeye, HAND/EYE, interview, Keith Recker, magazine, philanthropy, publication |
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72 comments Login to add your own!
paramountvintage
linguaNigra
wow, what a great article. The foot rest is amazing, as well as the other items shown. It is great that this is employing many people as well as using unwanted things.
moonovermaize
Fairyfolk
VERY interesting! I enjoyed the paragraph that talks of Africa - Having grown up in Africa, I know it's true that repair, reuse, recycle is a matter of survival there... It's eco-consciousness through necessity.
Thank you for a very thought provoking article.
Blessings and magic.
DreamyIsabel
bijougirldesigns
sherrytruitt
TheCottageCheese
steinschmuckdesign
OffTheHooks
i love:
"Refuse becomes fertilizer. Trash becomes treasure. Creativity IS survival."
sleepyking
FlanneryCrane
BabbidgePatch
workingforpeanuts
UglyBaby
It's so uplifting to see people making such gorgeous things from scraps -- from things that others would have thrown away. It's amazing.
littletank
suzshan
What is so captivating and uplifting is the promotion of these artisans in a manner in which is empowering for them. Keith Recker is such an eloquent spokesman.
4TheSparrowsNest
Thank you for this feature! It's admirable, and inspiring. A wonderful perspective on responsible design.
pandawithcookie
blossomnbird
MarchiMadeIt
SimpleJoysPaperie
redyellowandblueink
Hand/eye... and might I add to this poignant turn of phrase heart/soul...planet/love..... Thank you for this article, I was not aware of HAND/EYE. Simply awesome. Goose/bumps....
ovgilliesdesigns
lilworkerb
Wow this is a great article. It really shows how detailed some work can be. Very beautiful pictures.
PawPawsWorkshop
MinceCo
mudpuppy
WONDERFUL! I love this article and can hardly wait to start doing some more research. Food for the soul...
niTeBecOmEsdAy
what a great article. it makes me anxious to start my peace corps assignment in west africa RIGHT NOW!
PipocaHandmade
Thank you for introducing us to this very thoughtful, informative and inspiring publication!
travelogues
"....I think that in about 20 years, every discretionary purchasing decision will be accompanied by questions about who makes the goods, how they make them, the cultural and economic background behind the making, and the environmental impact of production and disposal."
I think that this concerns all of us now, not 20 years from now! I love this article and think it's great that there is a venue/online publication like Hand/Eye!
JewelsofSaraswati
DAINTYCROCHETBYALY
Those items really have that handmade feeling
lovely creations! :-)
beadweaver
Thank you for featuring the lovely work that comes from Africa. What caught my eye was Liza Lou's mile long beaded rope (wound into a circular form) that was recently exhibited at the L&M Arts Gallery in NYC. Liza is from Los Angeles and spends 6 months each year in Durban at her studio. She employs a team of 30 native South Africans from a local beadwork collective. To see more of her work:
http://www.lmgallery.com/exhibitions/...
And to read more about Aid to Artisans:
http://www.aidtoartisans.org/
beadweaver
Here's the link for the interview with Liza Lou in Hand/Eye's publication too!
http://www.handeyemagazine.com/node/85
MeghanT
I was deeply moved by reading this article. This paragraph really jumped out for me:
"Our easy-to-buy and easy-to-toss society has created a strange alienation: we are so separate from the source of what we consume that we are not satisfied by all the buying we do. Quantity and quality have parted ways on many levels."
It is so true. I was just discussing this topic with a family member. I love knowing where my item has come from, who's hands have made it, and how the material being used is impacting the environment. I like to be a responsible consumer when/where I can.
When you know the creative process behind the item you buy and the work that went into making that item for you, suddenly you value it more. We no longer value the things we buy as a society. Stuff can be found for so cheap that it's easy to toss it away and buy something else. You often hear the expression "they just don't make things like they used to" and it's true! They don't. This is why I feel so strongly about supporting the handmade movement.
Thank you for introducing me to an amazing new magazine!
injeanuity
A very interesting read. The outlook for handmade is bright! :)
angelene
whitemetal
TheArtOfJoy
shopgoodgrace
Fantastic article!
I hope Keith is right about people actually taking the time to be thoughtful in choosing which items they buy ... from how something is grown/made, to the labor conditions and any environmental impact. (I think back to how my grandparents repurposed almost everything - an old coffee can to store nails, old shirts/clothing became quilts.)
Thanks so much for sharing. I look forward to reviewing the magazine.
sandali
AWESOME ~~ I love this article !! What an amazing read & totally fun & inspiring ~~ trigger happy days ;)
spacejam
evihan
cottonbirddesigns
kerli
wonderful. I love recycling, it is by far the most creative thing you can do - take something that other people don't want and find something beautiful in it. usual supplies don't do it for me, but rubbish? bring it on! :D I am aware how much goes to waste, how much I throw away myself, and that makes me want to save and recycle as much as I can into beautiful things.
thanks so much for this lovely and inspiring article!
kerli,
sincerely
SkantiqueJewels
Thank you for this article! A wonderful tribute to eco-friendly living.
breadandroses
Cannot thank you enough for bringing HAND/EYE to our attention! It is so important to pay attention, be mindful of our thoughts & actions and ever more so in instant gratification age.
When survival depends on creativity, we indeed live more creatively! Wasn't this the initial mission of Etsy's creation?
amysfunkyfibers
BlueShoeStudio
We could all do better to reduce reuse recycle! Inspiring...
Morado
beachhouseblues
thebestvintage
I'll definitely look into hand/eye. Sounds like a cool publication!
lavenderrabbit
SkylarkVintage
"If we can reapproach the things we surround ourselves with through an understanding of the traditions and innovations they express, and of the people and processes who produce them, we will be more thoughtful about what we buy, and better appreciate what we have." Can I get a "Amen!"?! This sounds like a great publication, by great people.
babook
What the good place ''Africa'' with the all the kind person in there ....... Dreaming come truth become the Good Future of ''Africa'' those things it just so good : )
EJPcreations
1AEON
bayousalvage
amoronia
Iammie
bellta
tldgrainwear
danielabessostudio
thecluelesscrafter
it's amazing how elevating the materials around us to objects worthy of respect we, by proxy, wind up respecting ourselves and each other better. perhaps we learn to see things differently.
SuppliesHandcrafted
RenuRedo
icanspellit
OSEC
summerground
divababy
poprelique
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