The shape of craft / Ezra Shales.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Shales, Ezra, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Handicraft--History.

Handicraft.

Artisans--History.

Artisans.

Industrial arts--History.

Industrial arts.

Workmanship--History.

Workmanship.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (268 pages) : illustrations

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

London, UK : Reaktion Books, 2017.

Summary:

Today when we hear the word "craft, " a whole host of things come immediately to mind: microbreweries, artisanal cheeses, and an array of handmade objects. Craft has become so overused, that it can grate on our ears as pretentious and strain our credulity. But its overuse also reveals just how compelling craft has become in modern life.In The Shape of Craft, Ezra Shales explores some of the key questions of craft: who makes it, what do we mean when we think about a crafted object, where and when crafted objects are made, and what this all means to our understanding of craft. He argues that, beyond the clichés, craft still adds texture to sterile modern homes and it provides many people with a livelihood, not just a hobby. Along the way, Shales upends our definition of what is handcrafted or authentic, revealing the contradictions in our expectations of craft. Craft is-and isn't-what we think.

Contents:

Cover

Title Page

Imprint Page

Contents

Introduction

One: Archetypes: Who is a Craftsman?

Two: Today's Craftspeople in an Expanded Field

Three: Organic or Industrial? Weaving Cane and Welding Steel

Four: Weaving as a Magic Carpet Ride

Five: Time in Glasscraft

Conclusion: Mnemosynthesis

Further Reading

Acknowledgements

Photo Acknowledgements

Index.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9781780238845

1780238843