The Rubina Pilot Project: India

"I've learned that no matter what happens..."

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 06:53:00 -0500

"I've learned that no matter what happens...":

“I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life goes on, and it will be better tomorrow. I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas Tree lights. I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as making a “life.” I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life wit a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to the throw something back. I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~Maya Angelou

(via minettehand via JULIE911)

Patterns!

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 04:06:00 -0500

All found in India. Top left: shoes made by Congolese artisans being sold in the international section of the Surajkund Mela in New Delhi; Top right: floor of Mayank Kaul’s fab design studio near Saket, New Delhi; Bottom: Marble wall motif from a palace in Rajasthan.

#ThingsILikeAboutIndia

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 04:00:05 -0500

#34. That no matter how full you are, you can still somehow find room when your friend’s Aunt offers a third helping of paratha.

Domus: Articulating a vision for design in India

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:15:13 -0500

Domus: Articulating a vision for design in India :

A design report from New Delhi by Mayank Mansingh Kaul.

(via Ishan Khosla)

"If we are to achieve a richer culture, rich in contrasting values, we must recognize the whole gamut..."

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:31:19 -0500

“If we are to achieve a richer culture, rich in contrasting values, we must recognize the whole gamut of human potentialities, and so weave a less arbitrary social fabric, one in which each diverse human gift will find a fitting place.”

- Margaret Mead

(via Oana Radulescu)

The process of making sanitary napkins in an Indian...

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:03:44 -0500

The process of making sanitary napkins in an Indian Village.

These six women go to work every day to make sanitary napkins for girls and women in their communities. Such a small tool for empowerment, but this allows girls to go to school and women to go to work the whole month, instead of missing out to tend to their monthly condition. Monja, Khartun, Nitel, and Shanti… you inspire me.

Credits:

Video taken and put together by Rubina Pilot Project.
Footage taken on the Barefoot College Campus.
Music by Oh Land.

A meeting with the Indian Institute of Craft & Design

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:54:11 -0500

What: Indian Institute of Craft and Design

IICD was initiated by the Rajasthani government with the mission to “evolve a sustained program of growth and development of both crafts sector and craftsmen in an integrated manner. They focus on generating requisite knowledge, upgrading relevant skills and to fostering right attitudes in order to develop high quality, motivated human resource and change agents, in a vibrant climate of experimentation and innovation.”

Where: Jaipur, Rajasthan

Who: Dr. Bhardwaj (director) and Swarup Dutta (dean of UG programs)

Left to right: me, Swarup, 2 embroidery artisan teachers, embroidery class teacher

IICD students

Each student graduates when completing their Diploma Project, for which they produce a product that blends design principles and traditional craft. Some of the work I viewed was really interesting; particularly traditional Dhokra work formed into modern cutlery.

An overview of student work, experimental and finished.

Student design work, working with an artisan in woodwork and traditional weaving.

Embroidery Class

Two artisans who specialize in embroidery gave me a quick demo and put together a palette of several different types of embroidery to show the class.

IICD’s Approach

From what I’ve gathered here so far, most of the issues for rural craftspeople are due to disconnection and lack of access: Artisans don’t have direct access to the market. Potential markets don’t know where to find out about traditional craft and artisans. Designers and artisans come from urban and rural perspectives, which makes working together in a creatively equal way difficult. Etc etc…

It’s encouraging to see IICD attempting to bridge some of those gaps. (And it’s not easy as these issues are all gray.) A couple of interesting things they’re doing are bringing artisans to teach their craft to students and creating a space for them to be experts and teachers, which creates respect and understanding on both sides. And in general, their programs explore the industry as a whole and all stakeholders in the value chain, and are trying to find ways all parties can add value and get value.

I was quite inspired by my visit and the people that are designing and graduating from the programs there, and am excited to see where they go with it all.

IICD needs

They are looking for international partnerships in case anyone is looking for exchange opportunities! Email me, if so.

Jamawar: Kashmiri embroidery

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:30:31 -0500

High heels, bangles, and rickshaws. #delhilife

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:19:24 -0500

#ThingsILikeAboutIndia

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:00:05 -0500

#57. That women like this exist here.

Judy Frater, artisan advocate and rockstar

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:00:05 -0500

Judy Frater, artisan advocate and rockstar:

Last February, I had the great privilege of spending a couple weeks with the pioneering craft advocate and co-founder of Kala Raksha, Judy Frater. Judy is a rare find of a person in the world. She not only thinks with her brilliant mind, but her huge heart, and is more open about those things she thinks about than anyone I know. She’s lived in Kutch for more than 20 years working with traditional embroiderists and other artisans in the area. And I’d even argue that she’s been a huge force behind establishing the region as a destination for textile enthusiasts from around the world, all of whom want to schedule some time to meet with the famous Judy Frater. Between helping artisans fill out complicated visa applications to make it to Santa Fe’s International Folk Art Market in the summer, she also made time to meet Australian scholars working on books, volunteers, craft tour groups, and then of course me, who was looking to be mentored and observe different models of working with craftspeople. Judy’s a rockstar. And she deserves a big statue or plaque or benefit or something monumental and long-lasting to honor not only her work in Kutch, but her character.

This article briefly touches on her impact among artisans in India.

(via Ishan Khosla)

Rubina Logo out of painted signs in India. Branding is something...

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:00:50 -0500

Rubina Logo out of painted signs in India. Branding is something I’m playing around with during the Pilot. Any feedback on this concept?

Event (NYC): Artisan Demos

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:00:05 -0500

Event (NYC): Artisan Demos:

ASIA SOCIETY NYC, February 16-17, 12:30 - 4:00 pm

Block printing by Deepak Kumar Chhipa and Zardozi embroidery by Mohammad Shamim

Block printing uses traditional Mughal motifs of flowering vines that are carved into wooden blocks, so that the pattern protrudes from the wooden block, they are then coated with ink, and pressed firmly onto cloth, originally used to create costumes for the crown.

Zardozi is imperial metallic embroidery. It has its own relevance in history as the costume of royalty. Zardozi embroidery is rich with intricately woven patterns in gold and silver studded with seed pearls and precious stones enhanced the shimmering beauty of silk, velvet and brocade.

#ThingsILikeAboutIndia

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:09:27 -0500

#1. That it’s totally normal for a random person to approach another random person in a local coffee shop to promote the launch of his/her new website, ask them to sign up, and want feedback asap. #entrepreneurialspirit

"Self-interest is but the survival of the animal in us. Humanity only begins for man with..."

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:55:04 -0500

““Self-interest is but the survival of the animal in us. Humanity only begins for man with self-surrender.””

- Henri Frederic Amiel

(from the lovely Zim Ugochukwu’s latest blog post titled Questions for Humanity, which is worth the read.)

Infographic: All Poverty is Not Created Equal

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:00:05 -0500

This beautiful infographic conceived by Design Impact and designed by Cincinnati based designer, Donovan Preddy, illustrates the differences in “poverty” between the US and India. Here is the blog post that explains their thought process. Interesting…

Download, print, and share the High-Res PDF here.

banglesandburlap: UC Davis Arts Study Links Traditional Craft...

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:02:05 -0500

banglesandburlap:

UC Davis Arts Study Links Traditional Craft to Mental Health.

Before she died last month at age 70, the respected Pomo basket weaver and activist Luwana Quitiquit was asked by a researcher for her personal definition of wellness.

“Storytelling is wellness,” she said. “And the reason it is wellness for my family is because it puts my kids back in touch with my grandmother, of people they never get to see. It inspires them to carry on their culture. That’s wellness.”

Read the article HERE.

Click to view the Rubina Pilot Flickr Photoset. We’ll be...

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:54:08 -0500

Click to view the Rubina Pilot Flickr Photoset. We’ll be adding as we go along.

Underprivileged Indian children dressed in costume to look like...

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:49:57 -0500

Underprivileged Indian children dressed in costume to look like the late Mahatma Gandhi arrive on a bus before attempting a world record in Kolkata, India, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012.

Local non-government organizations put on the event and a total of 485 children took part in the rally ahead of the anniversary of Gandhi’s death which falls on January 30th. (AP)

Such a fun day yesterday running around beautiful Jaipur with...

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:35:00 -0500

View of Jaipur from Hawa Mahal

View of Jaipur from Hawa Mahal

Door at the Hawa Mahal

Such a fun day yesterday running around beautiful Jaipur with the lovely Namrata Milak, best city and craft tour guide EVER.