Slow and Craft

I was recently asked to contribute to a blog discussion called Making a Slow Revolution on what values Craft can bring to the Slow movement. It is a precursor to an exhibition called Taking Time: Craft and the Slow Movement organised by Craftspace, which will tour nationally in September.

Having only been a 'maker' for a short time, and not having the experience of many years of 'making' like some craftspeople, I didnt feel that I was able to reflect so much on the notion of 'slow', as it relates to a process. Some other contributors wrote at length about their particular discipline, such as ceramics or furniture making and the importance of time and process within this. 

I guess I came at it from the other side, from the ideas being explored within the Slow movement, or whatever one would call the social movement that began with the Slow Food movement and seems to have spread to all aspect of living, including design.

I focused particularly on the work of one of my favourite design thinkers, Ezio Manzini, who explains that the Slow movement has three aspects: respect for tradition; an appreciation of where and how something is made and an emphasis on social networks, and these aspects are shared by Craft.

For the full piece go to: http//makingaslowrevolution.wordpress.com