New Politics of the Handmade: Craft, Art and Design

Making the new politics of craft and sustainability

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 24 December 2020
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Contemporary craft, art, and design are inextricably intertwined with the dynamics of production and consumption in the global capitalist economy. The New Politics of the Handmade presents a collection of twenty-three thought-provoking voices that challenge and redefine the concept of handmade in this rapidly evolving economic landscape. The authors delve into the complexities of craft within the context of extreme material and economic disparities, exploring a renewed emphasis on labor and materiality in contemporary art and museums. They also examine the political dimensions of craftivism, neoliberalism, and state power, shedding light on the ways in which crafts can be used as tools for social change and activism. Furthermore, the book explores efforts towards urban renewal and sustainability, the integration of digital technologies, and the profound connections between crafts, race, cultural identity, and sovereignty across five continents. The authors argue that contemporary craft occupies a dynamic critical position, enabling us to understand the most pressing political and aesthetic concerns of our time.

Introduction:
The handmade has always played a significant role in human culture, serving as a means of self-expression, creativity, and economic empowerment. However, in recent years, the handmade has undergone a remarkable transformation as a result of the forces of global capitalism. The rise of mass production, the commodification of goods, and the increasing interconnectedness of the world have all contributed to the decline of traditional handmade practices and the emergence of a new era of craft, art, and design.

The New Politics of the Handmade:
The New Politics of the Handmade is a groundbreaking book that explores the complex relationship between contemporary craft, art, and design and the flows of production and consumption under global capitalism. The book features twenty-three voices who critically rethink the handmade in this dramatically shifting economy. The authors examine craft within the conditions of extreme material and economic disparity, a renewed focus on labor and materiality in contemporary art and museums, the political dimensions of craftivism, neoliberalism, and state power, efforts toward urban renewal and sustainability, the use of digital technologies, and crafts connections to race, cultural identity, and sovereignty.

Contemporary Craft as a Dynamic Critical Position:
The authors of The New Politics of the Handmade argue that contemporary craft occupies a dynamic critical position for understanding the most immediate political and aesthetic issues of our time. They contend that craft is not just a decorative or ornamental object but a powerful tool for social and political commentary. Craft can be used to challenge the dominant narratives of power and privilege, to highlight the injustices of the world, and to promote a more equitable and sustainable society.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, The New Politics of the Handmade is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of contemporary craft, art, and design and the forces of global capitalism. The book offers a fresh and insightful perspective on the handmade, challenging our assumptions and inspiring us to think critically about the role of craft in shaping our world. By exploring the complex relationships between production and consumption, labor and materiality, politics and aesthetics, and the broader social and cultural contexts in which crafts are produced and consumed, The New Politics of the Handmade provides a valuable contribution to the field of art and design studies.

Weight: 536g
Dimension: 156 x 233 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781784538248