Results from survey

Soko Kenya

SOKO was set up in 2009 by Joanna Maiden. Her vision was for SOKO to provide the link between the international fashion industry and the community of Ukunda, Kenya..

SOKO is set up as a social enterprise with all profits being invested into the growth of SOKO and local community projects, their main aim is the improvement of the quality of life for Ukunda’s population through vocational training, employment opportunities and improved social services.

The reason I have chosen SOKO as a case study is because of the interest they have in local artisans and their talent. The enterprise engages with local cooperatives and crafts people through the sourcing of fabrics and manufacturing of garments. By using the local talent to make beautiful clothes, SOKO provides fair employment to this impoverished community. As mentioned in Phase 2 of my project, I would like to work within a community in India, learning from the locals, and teaching them what I know. SOKO provides a great example as to how this concept can be taken even further. 





This is a link to a video explaining what SOKO is all about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEf1--hwWJQ

http://www.soko-kenya.com/

Response to questions (Tutorial April 5th)

When first asked to write a project brief, I knew I wanted to do something involving another culture and practical experimentation. Initially my thematic area was to be an exploration of Art throughout history, researching how it has been used and made, using the techniques learnt about to create design concepts using both historical and modern methods. I soon realized however that this was a vast subject area, which required focus. 

Whilst this is still my thematic area, I decided to focus on one culture in order to get the ball rolling. The work done in this semester will serve as a formula that can be applied to other cultures, i.e. research methods, experimentation with modern ways of creating ancient art, experimentation with traditional ways of creating ancient art and the fusion of these experiments in order to modernize traditional art forms, whilst making sure they do not die out. I chose Indian art because of its variety of ancient art techniques and because I had never really done that much research into Indian art, even though it had always interested me.

The intent of Project Development 2, is to build the foundation of the ‘structure’, so to speak. It involves in depth research into Indian art, how it has been used, why it has been used, and how it has been created. It also involves the experimentation with block printing out of an authentic context (this is the Negotiated study part). This allows me to experiment with bock printing in my own manner, using my own techniques and design process, it also allows me to use modern technology and various material not available in India, so when I come to the second phase of the project (learning and experimenting with block printing in an authentic environment), the trip to India, I will have a greater understanding and appreciating for the craftsmanship it takes to create this sort of art using traditional techniques. I will also use PD2 to research, plan and network for the trip, this means making contacts abroad which may be able to help me find exactly what I need when I am over there.

Phase 3 is what I have titled the ‘fusion’, it is effectively the combining of the traditional techniques and methods I have learnt whilst in India, and the used of modern technology, materials and themes available to me back home. My MA project, aims to use techniques learnt in a modern context, in order

to raise awareness, making these traditions more appealing and accessible to modern audiences.

The term ‘fusion’, in terms of my project, is the process of combining elements of various traditional techniques with modern methods and themes, giving traditional art a place in contemporary society.

An example of this sort of fusion can be found in my post “The Fat duck”. The post is about Heston Blumenthal, a chef who, like myself likes to balance old with new. He often takes old/historical recipes and presents them in an entirely modern way.

Why I have done this project

I hope that by doing this project, I will inspire other artists to incorporate more traditional methods into their own work.

Effect on me as a practitioner

In terms of the effect on me as a practitioner, it is about finding a balance between digital/handmade art and modern/traditional techniques.

The outcomes of PD2 will be a visual summary, taking storyboard approach in the form of a visual map of the project. The map will detail the journey in terms of the phases, particularly phase 1 as the others will be completed after the due date. It will summarize my research, experimentation, learning, trip plans, and future work.

Tutorial April 5th

These were some of the points discussed in the tutorial. Although they are dot points at the moment, watch this space for further developments and expansion...

Develop criteria for annotation of experiments

Statement of intent

Define what is meant by ‘fusion’

What is the outcome likely to be?

Why have I done this project

How has this improved my understanding in terms of my MA project?

Aspirations before and After

Final presentation – Visual journey/map?

Creative formula/structure that can be applied to other cultural art techniques.