Studio Craft
Encyclopedia
Studio craft, though it takes many forms, can be thought of in general as the tendency to practice craft
methodology in an environment similar if not equivalent to that of an artist's studio. Viewed in comparison to the practice of traditional craft, which tends to generate craft objects out of necessity or for ceremonial use, Studio Craft represents a contemporary shift by producing craft objects at the whim of the maker or intended owner, and which tend to be, at best, only desirable for use and sometimes outright in opposition to it. Because studio craft dissents from the approach of making objects out of necessity, it inspires significant comparisons to works of studio art which also tend to be made specifically to stimulate aesthetically rather than to serve functional purposes. It is often argued by contemporary craftspeople that because of their diminished reliance on making objects for functionality, the studio craft object becomes more viable for the kind of aesthetic
critical theory which occurs in fine art
theory.
The arts and crafts movement
has played a significant role in the formulation of the studio crafts due in large part to the arts and crafts movement's emphasis on both the hand made object and the importance of the individual maker. This has been especially true in North America (see American craft
)and the British Isles. Though the studio crafts have been in development for more than one-hundred years since the arts and crafts movement proper its influence remains remarkably consistent.
The work of "DIYers" is often pejoratively referred to as "Crafty Craft" or "Craft with a K."
Craft
A craft is a branch of a profession that requires some particular kind of skilled work. In historical sense, particularly as pertinent to the Medieval history and earlier, the term is usually applied towards people occupied in small-scale production of goods.-Development from the past until...
methodology in an environment similar if not equivalent to that of an artist's studio. Viewed in comparison to the practice of traditional craft, which tends to generate craft objects out of necessity or for ceremonial use, Studio Craft represents a contemporary shift by producing craft objects at the whim of the maker or intended owner, and which tend to be, at best, only desirable for use and sometimes outright in opposition to it. Because studio craft dissents from the approach of making objects out of necessity, it inspires significant comparisons to works of studio art which also tend to be made specifically to stimulate aesthetically rather than to serve functional purposes. It is often argued by contemporary craftspeople that because of their diminished reliance on making objects for functionality, the studio craft object becomes more viable for the kind of aesthetic
Aesthetics
Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste, and with the creation and appreciation of beauty. It is more scientifically defined as the study of sensory or sensori-emotional values, sometimes called judgments of sentiment and taste...
critical theory which occurs in fine art
Fine art
Fine art or the fine arts encompass art forms developed primarily for aesthetics and/or concept rather than practical application. Art is often a synonym for fine art, as employed in the term "art gallery"....
theory.
Craft theory
Though studio craft works do seem to have some of the necessary conditions required for injection into critical art discourse, simplifying craft theory as synonymous with art theory strikes some crafts theorists as problematic. Glenn Adamson has argued persuasively that the interesting thing about Craft is that it is perceived to be 'inferior' to art. In his book Thinking Through Craft Adamson presents an overview of this question by presenting five aspects of this supposed second-class identity: supplementarity, sensuality, skill, the pastoral, and the amateur Contrary to the implied second-class status of these themes, Adamson suggests that these are in fact the things that make craft significant and unique.History
The arts and crafts movementThe arts and crafts movement
Arts and Crafts movement
Arts and Crafts was an international design philosophy that originated in England and flourished between 1860 and 1910 , continuing its influence until the 1930s...
has played a significant role in the formulation of the studio crafts due in large part to the arts and crafts movement's emphasis on both the hand made object and the importance of the individual maker. This has been especially true in North America (see American craft
American craft
American craft is an entity of the American contribution to the family of artistic practices conducted by independent studio artists. In this case Studio Craft artists work specifically with traditional craft materials and/or processes such as wood, woodworking or furniture making, glass or...
)and the British Isles. Though the studio crafts have been in development for more than one-hundred years since the arts and crafts movement proper its influence remains remarkably consistent.
DIY craft
One of the more recent developments in studio craft seems to be the emergence of a solidified do-it-yourself (DIY) movement. Since the mid-century turn towards the conceptualization of the craft object significant academic and institutional structures have emerged to support studio craft. As of 2008 there are hundreds of masters and even doctoral programs dedicated solely to working in crafts media and theory, and as many museums and cultural dedicated to contemporary craft. This trend however has not been without its opponents who claim that studio craft has undercut its origins by overinflating its product, making it entirely inaccessible to anyone who cannot afford the exorbitant prices studio craftspeople demand. These arguments have grown louder and there has been a significant trend towards listening to the voices of "DIYers," that is, makers whose training has not come from a necessarily institutional source and whose audience lies outside the narrow confines of "Studio Craft Institutions." DIY craft can be found in many places among them the internet hub Etsy and in many craft fairs and venues around the country.The work of "DIYers" is often pejoratively referred to as "Crafty Craft" or "Craft with a K."