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'Green Touch: Asia Eco Craft Design Exhibition'

  • Date:2017-11-23
'Green Touch: Asia Eco Craft Design Exhibition'

The National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute (NTCRI) will hold an exhibition exploring the green philosophy and design practiced in contemporary crafts on Nov. 23 through June 24, 2018.


Green design is the concept behind eco-friendly and sustainable products. The design focuses on material selection, product function, and aesthetics as well as package, delivery, and merchandise. It also emphasizes the availability of recycling, reuse, and disposal. Above all, material is the key element to the process of such design.


Director Hsu Keng-hsiu (許耿修) of NTCRI noted that the exhibition will offer insights into eco-friendly craft trends, global perspectives, and present how craft designers tackle environmental problems through their design.


"Green Touch: Asia Eco Craft Design Exhibition” will feature works by 34 artists from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines.


Around 200 pieces of furniture, home decor, accessories, and installation art made from materials spanning bamboo, rattan, seashell, driftwood, recycled timber, coconut, betel nut leaf, bark, rush, shell ginger, and reclaimed ashes from paper will be displayed.


The exhibition will present the diverse materials, cultures, and aesthetics of Taiwan and Southeast Asia through three sections.


"Admiration‧Nature” will showcase the development and application of eco-friendly materials. "New‧Tradition” will explore how craft techniques and cultural imagery are passed on for generations. "Green‧Thoughts” will emphasize on presenting designs and actions that correspond to sustainability and ethics.


Some highlights include "Riyar Light (浪草燈),” a radial ceiling light created by Taiwanese designers and senior aboriginal craftspeople who applied umbrella sedge into its design. As one of the product of the Kamaro'an series, which refers to "stay!” in the Amis language, the Kamaro'an brand hopes to create more job opportunities in the local community and encourage aboriginal youths to return home.


A woven bamboo chair with polka dots designed by Thai designer Korakot Aromdee incorporates traditional kite-making techniques passed on from Aromdee's grandfather and local fish-net weaving. Aromdee passes such technique to young craftsmen in his hometown, which has helped create job opportunities and revitalize traditional Thai crafts.


There are also accessories made from reclaimed paper ashes. Thai designer Rudee Tancharoen, who conducted an investigation on paper-recycling factories and found out that many ashes are generated during the paper-cutting process, uses the disposed ashes to make necklaces and brooches.


On the opening ceremony, award-winning designers including Supachai Klaewtanong from Thailand, Denny Priyatna from Indonesia, and Lilianna Manahan from the Philippines, as well as Taiwan design brands Kamaro'an and A.M IDEAS, were invited to share their experiences, techniques, and knowledge about eco-friendly designs.


Seven additional workshops featuring professional lectures will be held alongside the exhibition to help the public learn about the characteristics of natural materials and craft their own designs.


‘Green Touch: Asia Eco Craft Design Exhibition'

  • Date: Nov. 23, 2017 - June 24, 2018
  • Venue: The National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute
  • Address: No. 573 Zhongzheng Rd., Caotun District, Nantou County
  • Website: www.ntcri.gov.tw


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