Preserving culture through
contemporising traditional craft
Traditional craft is often associated with intangible heritage. Behind each crafted object lies stories on how a particular culture has lived, which are unique to each heritage. Yet after the Industrial Revolution, production process of objects was easier and faster than before. Traditional craftsmanship was soon perceived as old, obsolete, and a part of a fragmented past.
However, there have been efforts to preserve traditional crafts in this contemporary society. Designers are reinterpreting the notion of tradition, conceiving new ideas and forms in attempt to contemporise traditional craft. This compendium examines the importance of contemporising, and why designers are tapping on traditional crafting methods. By maintaining and developing the niche knowledge that brings together modern aesthetics and traditional craftsmanship, designers are giving a fresh outlook on traditions and culture.
