Because I have FAR too much in my head about this… I feel as though this should be broken up. Part 2 will be tomorrow.
I've found myself exploring a lot of likes, dislikes, etc. since the start of this (what I have decided to be) glorious new year - and I noticed that my likes have grown closely intertwined with Do-it-myself (DIY) items. Anything that I can create, make with my hands, etc. I've been thinking through possible vendors, etc. and I find my pendulum mind moving between two places - the 'new' arts and crafts movement that appears solidly on the internet - through screen printers, knitters, handsewers, and the like - and my 'hippie' friends - with hairy legs, and lesbian tendencies (no but realy. i'm talking about specific people here; this is NOT a generalization. i actually have these friends). as a sociologist, this intrigues me - what a fantastic dichotomy of where we’re going, where we’ve come from, and how all of these things come together in one space – the virtual.
I can honestly say I haven’t been that brave in a long long time. but it’s starting to be that time… and so, I’ve obviously thought a lot about it recently. being brave, and doing it myself. so. to be introspective, i need research. i need to know that things have worked in the past. and ohhhhhhhh.... did i come up with some goodies.
The proponents of the Arts and Crafts movement were against the principle of a division of labour, which in some cases could be independent of industrial machinery. They were in favour of the master craftsman, who created all the parts of an item and assembled and finished it, with help from apprentices. This contrasted with the French Manufactories, where everything was oriented towards the fastest production possible. The Arts and Crafts movement sought to have the maker work with his hands at every step of creation. Some, such as Morris, were more than willing to design products for machine production if it did not involve the division of labor or the loss of craft talent. Morris designed numerous carpets for machine production in series.
The decline of rural handicrafts, corresponding to the rise of industrialised society, was a cause for concern for many designers and social reformers, who feared the loss of traditional skills and creativity. For Ruskin, a healthy society depended on skilled and creative workers. Morris and other socialist designers, such as Crane and Ashbee, looked forward to a future society of free craftspeople.
Yet, while the Arts and Crafts movement was in large part a reaction to industrialization, if looked at on the whole, it was neither anti-industrial nor anti-modern. Some of the European factions believed that machines were in fact necessary, but they should only be used to relieve the tedium of mundane, repetitive tasks. At the same time, some Arts and Crafts leaders felt that objects should also be affordable. "
Ok. That’s enough sociology for the day. Tomorrow… I will continue. But I PROMISE there is a reason for all this. Excited? I hope so…….
(and... just some places i got some thoughts from: torontocraftalert.ca/; www.artinfo.com/; greenjeansbrooklyn.blogspot.com/)
I've found myself exploring a lot of likes, dislikes, etc. since the start of this (what I have decided to be) glorious new year - and I noticed that my likes have grown closely intertwined with Do-it-myself (DIY) items. Anything that I can create, make with my hands, etc. I've been thinking through possible vendors, etc. and I find my pendulum mind moving between two places - the 'new' arts and crafts movement that appears solidly on the internet - through screen printers, knitters, handsewers, and the like - and my 'hippie' friends - with hairy legs, and lesbian tendencies (no but realy. i'm talking about specific people here; this is NOT a generalization. i actually have these friends). as a sociologist, this intrigues me - what a fantastic dichotomy of where we’re going, where we’ve come from, and how all of these things come together in one space – the virtual.
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| originally from weheartit.com/ |
I've explored a lot of the online community that has blossomed - people who respect one another for their craft, and people making their own of a thing that they are passionate about. it takes such courage, and strength to step out, take a chance, and do what you love.
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| image from weheartit.com/ |
DIY can be traced back to several main historical moments: the Arts and Craft movement of the 1900’s, the 1970’s craft movement, and third-wave feminism alongside the 80’s punk, zine and Riot Grrrl movements. So really, where we’ve come from, is really not all that far from where we’re going. instead, there are new modes of transportation – such as the internet – to get there. Though, despite being able to pin down where this comes from, figuring out exactly what DIY is and what it looks like is tough – specifically when you incorporate the arts and crafts movements.
Arguably, there are far too many definitions of DIY to solidify one particular and universal agreed upon definition – and yet, fundamentally, it is one of the most simplistic concepts there is: just do it yourself.
I’m about to throw you into a MAD sociological tailspin here…. So bear with me. There is a good and real end to this:
"The Arts and Crafts Movement was a British, Canadian, Australian and American aesthetic movement - Instigated by William Morris in the 1860s and inspired by the writings of John Ruskin, it was at its height between 1880 and 1910. It influenced architecture, the decorative arts, interior design, furniture, textiles, the manufacture of domestic articles, book design and garden design. The Arts and Crafts Movement began primarily as a search for authentic and meaningful styles for the 19th century and as a reaction against the eclectic revival of historic styles of the Victorian era and the "soulless" machine-production of the Industrial Revolution. The appearance of Arts and Crafts objects resulted from the principles involved in their making. One of their hallmarks was simplicity of form, without superfluous decoration, often exposing their construction. Another was truth to material, preserving and emphasizing the qualities of the materials used. Many set up workshops in rural areas and revived old techniques… They also shared a belief in the moral purpose of art.
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| william morris print - from james eliot taylor's photobucket |
The decline of rural handicrafts, corresponding to the rise of industrialised society, was a cause for concern for many designers and social reformers, who feared the loss of traditional skills and creativity. For Ruskin, a healthy society depended on skilled and creative workers. Morris and other socialist designers, such as Crane and Ashbee, looked forward to a future society of free craftspeople.
Yet, while the Arts and Crafts movement was in large part a reaction to industrialization, if looked at on the whole, it was neither anti-industrial nor anti-modern. Some of the European factions believed that machines were in fact necessary, but they should only be used to relieve the tedium of mundane, repetitive tasks. At the same time, some Arts and Crafts leaders felt that objects should also be affordable. "
Ok. That’s enough sociology for the day. Tomorrow… I will continue. But I PROMISE there is a reason for all this. Excited? I hope so…….
(and... just some places i got some thoughts from: torontocraftalert.ca/; www.artinfo.com/; greenjeansbrooklyn.blogspot.com/)