Abstract
Copper is a universal material with a long history; archaeological evidence shows it was one of the first to melt, cast, alloy, and transform into everyday-use articles. Copper crafts in India carry their own cultural, social, and emotive baggage with traditional designs and textures. Different copper-craft communities have distinctive techniques and styles; collectively, they are identified as ‘Tambat.’ The cultural legacy of copper craft is a living tradition in some parts of India, inherited from ancestors and passed on to descendants. The industrial revolution introduced a new paradigm for production through factory labor culture, mass manufacture, remote markets, and capitalist economic systems. Many techniques that Tambats employ today have endured over centuries, but many are newly adopted into their repertoire with the overlap of designers working with them. The copper craft is declining despite the artisans being able to adopt new techniques, relocate, and apply their skills to new objects. The study of the copper craft indicates its limitations in dealing with contemporary needs, a lack of novelty, and its perceptions. The research carried out experiments by introducing new processes in the copper craft for developing new products with new aesthetics. It further investigates the adaptability of new processes by the artisans, quality, productivity, and the challenges of manufacturing copper craft products. The result of this study implies that the supporting tools in the processes are helpful to adopt; the artisan’s exposure and their attitude to experiment affect the level of adaptability and continuity.
Presenters
Priyansi KansaraAssistant Professor, Bachelor of Design, College of Architecture Nashik & Centre for Design, Nashik, Maharashtra, India Avinash Shende
Associate Professor, IDC School of Design, IIT Bombay, Maharashtra, India
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
COPPER CRAFT, COMMUNITY, CRAFT PROCESSES, ADAPTATION
