Presentation by Faythe Levine
Faythe Levine’s documentary “Handmade Nation” explores the world of D.I.Y. and indie craft fairs throughout the United States. Levine discussed the making of her film and the publication of her companion book, published by Princeton Architectural Press.
Levine was drawn to the DIY craft scene through both her own work and the attendance of several craft fairs, beginning in 2006 with Chicago’s Renegade Craft Fair. To create her documentary, she traveled over 19,000 miles with a filmmaker friend to visit craft fairs in 15 cities, where she interviewed the crafters who sell at these fairs to discuss their work and the state of indie craft. Levine used social media outlets like her blog to garner interest and create an audience for her film while she was in the process of creating it.
In her presentation, Levine highlighted a selection of the crafters featured in her film who she felt best expressed the new wave of D.I.Y. and alt-craft. Many of the craftspeople Levine discussed are seeking to make statements about American culture and consumerism through their work. For example, Kate Bingman-Burt’s Obsessive Consumption project documents her daily consumption and credit card bills through hand-drawn illustrations posted to her blog.
After her slide show, Levine fielded questions about her curatorial choices, explaining that she chose crafters whose work she liked, but that her tastes have changed over the last three years. Levine also stepped squarely into the D.I.Y. vs. Traditional Craft discussion that played a large role at the conference. Attendees asked if Levine felt that indie crafters like those featured in “Handmade Nation” were taking away from the traditional crafts and their outreach. Levine summed it up best when she said, “Whether you like it or not, it’s there.” DIY and indie craft may not be going anywhere, but it is up to the traditional craft community to realize they should not be threatened by this movement and these two can work together in a symbiotic relationship if they focus on their similarities and not their differences.
Reporting by Gloria Dunlap, a graduate student in the history of decorative arts at Corcoran College of Art + Design, who attended “Creating a New Craft Culture” on a student scholarship.
Gimme More!
Download the audio podcast
(Can’t open the file? Listen online here)
Read Faythe Levine’s biography
Browse Faythe’s blog and watch the “Handmade Nation” trailer
Blog coverage by conference attendees:
Ask Harriete, by Harriete Estel Berman
emiko-o reware, by Emiko Oye
8 Comments
I just finished watching the trailer to Handmade Nation and must admit that I need to see more. It is eye opening!
A question I have off the top of my head is whether a ‘purist’ and a ‘traditionalist’mean the same thing.
Also, isn’t craft always a D.I.Y. activity? What is the backstory, the point of contention between the Indie/DIYers and the traditionalists? Is it the aesthetic, the people who do it, the spirit of the craft?
So intrigued.
Lydia, Thank you for your comments. I’ll do my best to respond to a few of your queries off the cuff.
I feel compelled to quickly respond to your question, “isn’t craft always a D.I.Y. activity”? My personal response would be a very simple, yes. Perhaps some other readers would choose to expand on this?
Regarding the back story between the D.I.Y. community and the traditionalists my view point can only come from the past 3-4 years when I’ve become somewhat of a spokeswoman for D.I.Y. craft and got more involved with groups such as the ACC, which I wasn’t previously familiar with.
The comments that trickle down to myself and my peers often surround criticism and negativity about the quality of work coming out of our scene. Also, I believe the initial lack of connection and communication between our generations has possibly created some animosity and a riff that I think is slowly closing as we become more educated about the others community and how it works. The uneducated assumptions both generations had made about one another are fading away with open discussions and dialogue online and at events such as the ACC conference. Again, perhaps some other readers can contribute to my comments since I believe this is just one angle on this issue.
If you are interested in seeing Handmade Nation in entirety the DVD is now available via Buyolympia.com
Hi Faythe–
I am curious about the title of your event “Art Versus Craft”.
That’s certainly provocative! Many people (especially craftspersons) say that distinction is irrelevant, way dead, or impossible to resolve. Some celebrate differences. What’s your personal POV? And as the person most often asked to speak on behalf of “DIY” what’s their POV (if its possible to generalize)?
Has there been any response from the art world? (It certainly has an adversarial ring to it)
But most of all, I was wondering what was the thinking behind the decision to call it that?
Thanks!
I come from the perspective of a 50-year old folk artist who has been involved in the soft crafts of quilting and sewing for over 30 years. I think DIY vs traditionalist may have a few “camps”, and one of them is generational in my experience. I teach a lot at big box art/craft stores, and there, you see those people who believe there is a right way vs wrong way to create. It is usually the younger craftsperson who will take chances, make up techniques, and be “rule breaking” to achieve the result he or she seeks and I consider this DIY. The older student seems to see art and craft as a value system, like “my Grandmother taught me to do this properly” sort of vibe, so I call this traditional.
What is your perspective on this?
Judith,
I apologize for my delay in responding I was in the pre-craft fair organizing zone. Another year of Art vs. Craft has past, and was a huge success. I now have a moment to respond to your questions.
My personal point of view regarding the Art vs. Craft discussion is that it is up to the maker to define their work. I can’t speak for the indie community on this topic since similar to the fine craft world there will be varied options on the matter.
In regards to your question “has there been any response from the art world?” my art world has responded with open arms. I don’t walk in the high brow gallery scene, so I can’t really comment to that community.
And to respond to you last comment
about you wondering what was my thinking behind the decision to call it [Art vs. Craft] that?
#1 It’s a catchy name. People respond to it and from a promoters perspective that is what you want in a show title.
#2 I wanted people to realize it wasn’t just a “traditional” craft fair. The name along with the annual design work by The Little Friends of Printmaking communicates that agenda well.
Hello Georgianne,
Thanks for sharing your experience. I agree that taking creative risks, not following the rules and doing work your own way does seem to be generational. But I bet there will be a number of older makers who feel differently and I am coming from the perspective of being in my early 30’s!
Personally, what excites me about DIY as a lifestyle is that THERE ARE NO RULES which often loans itself to a youth culture.
This is what attracted me to DIY as a teenager and what continues to motivate me to promote handmade and DIY craft.
It’s empowering for people to realize that they have control over their creative decisions. That empowerment seems to often lead makers to developing very well made work and can start off with a risky “doing it your own way” method.
Having a skilled craftsperson like yourself teach a class that allows students to take the basic skills you are teaching and then go wild with their own ideas is really exciting. Personally, I am looking forward to having time to making things again soon and getting to learn from all the amazing people I have met over the past three years working on Handmade Nation!
I like what you’re saying Faythe. Unfortunately illness kept me from attending the ACC conference (all better now) so I’ve been trying to catch up where I can. As a both a traditional furniture maker, and a contemporary artist, I’ve always dipped in and out of various camps. I can understand people who think things should be done a certain way and I find them in traditional workrooms, at craft conferences and even in Chelsea galleries. Getting to know people is the best way to bridge the gaps and there will usually be respect for things done well. Some people will even be open to new ideas!!!
Hey Faythe–
Thanks so much for answering!! I figured you were busy with the actual business of the fair and congrats on its success again! I wish I could go!
I love the name, for the record. My experience with the fine art world is that some (older, often) don’t care some, (younger, often) embrace it. I think there’s a lot of currency in seeing art and craft as discreet fields and not merging into one happy blob but I do swing both ways at times and I like the fact that you are keeping the dialog open and exciting.
Love, Judith
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[...] Download the audio podcast (Can’t open the file? Listen online here) Read Faythe Levine’s biography Browse Faythe’s blog and watch the “Handmade Nation” trailer Blog coverage by conference attendees: Ask Harriete, by Harriete Estel Berman emiko-o reware, by Emiko Oye via craftcouncil.org [...]