Strategies for Revitalization of Culturally Significant Designs, Products, and Practices

Designing an Appropriate Technology for Revitalising Traditional Craft Practice. Case study: Indonesian Stitch Resist Dyeing

“…The production process cluster has three specific strategies. Any strategies that require new technology, either to make production process quicker and more efficient or to create better quality and more consistent products, must be appropriate to the context in which it is to be used (Evans et al, 2018). Improvement in the production processes will often have a strong link with the development of makers' skill.…”

“…However, these ideas have been developed into a broad definition of appropriateness in the past four decades which involves more aspects (Hollick, 1982;Pellegrini, 1979;Sianipar et al, 2013;Sianipar, Pamatang, Yudoko, Dowaki, & Adhiutama, 2014). (Evans et al, 2018) Many studies on appropriate technology in developing countries have established some issues and also suitable frameworks (Akubue, 2000;Bowonder, 1979;Brunn, 1996;Wicklein, 1998). This study adapts methods by Wicklein (1998) in selecting appropriate technology for traditional craft practices, in this case, Indonesian stitch resist dyeing craft practices.…”

“…Thus, it is important to select an appropriate method to develop traditional techniques without losing their cultural aspects and to sustain the traditions of the community (Brunn, 1996). Previous studies have examined revitalisation strategies to sustain or transform the existence of culturally significant products and practices to fit with contemporary society and for the future without losing their cultural significance (Cassidy, 2018;Evans, Holroyd, Walker, Cassidy, & Jung, 2018;A. Nugraha, 2012).…”

“…A number of studies have developed a variety of approaches applicable to culturally significant designs, product and processes. Considering the characteristics and complexity of the case studies examined, the study relies on the revitalisation strategy taxonomy developed by Design Routes (Evans et al, 2018) for analysing the required revitalisation strategies for traditional craft practices. This approach suggests a preliminary study of creative ecology where the craft makers operate.…”

“…The Design Routes approach consists of eight clusters of revitalisation strategies to connect traditions, values and beliefs with the needs of people in the modern world (Evans et al, 2018). Those eight clusters are identified as (i) Sustained through design: combined traditional making or use practice with new or reimagined design; (ii) Transpose tradition: take traditional design or making practice into a new context; (iii) Value of place: foreground the value of place and provenance; (iv) Production processes: employ appropriate and effective methods of making; (v) Skills: employ targeted approaches to embed and enhance skills; (vi) Promotion: spread awareness and appreciation via effective promotion; (vii) Enterprise: employ effective business, organisation, and finance models; and (viii) Research and education: learn about traditions, meanings, and contemporary relevance.…”