Identity - Future crafT

What is the future of craft?

Hand made objects often embody the stories of a generation, culture, event or a person by freezing it in time in a physical form. The mark of a hand on an object is a process that creates truly unique objects with authenticity. Despite the value of craft in this respect, it seems to be losing its pride of place in the current market due to an unstoppable flood of cheap, mass-produced objects.

'Identity' examined how an individual's genetic code could be the starting point in the craft process, with the aim to add value by creating a truly unique and deep connection between the object and buyer.

The proposed system creates objects by using the genetic code of the buyer for two purposes, Firstly, the code is run through algorithms that create virtual 3D forms that will be used to create physical objects through rapid prototyping. Secondly, the code is used to identify crafts people held on a data base from around the world that share your lineage. The buyer is required to select a crafts person based on this lineage and their personal preference to craft type. The crafts person is then sent the rapid prototyped object to which to apply their skills and technique, and then returning the completed form to the user.

The objects produced by the end of the three week project were of a sculptural nature. The process of using DNA to inform crafted objects could be used in many ways but may have the most value when combined within artefacts that represent us, such as worn objects, especially those that represent our connection with others such as wedding rings.

Identity was designed in collaboration with Gaurav Raut (RCA), Joel Trotter (RCA), Sonal Malhotra (NID), Shruti Suman Location (NID) during the 2 week Go Global collaboration held in Ahmedabad, India between students at National Institute of Design and The Royal College of Art. The crafts applied to the objects where done by Prasanta Subudhi a Artisan specializing in Pattachitra based in Ahmedabad.