ABOUT THE BOOK:

This book explores the variety of artisans still working in traditional trades today – and looks at their why, why they choose to practice trades that have industrial replacements, and on produces that are now more often than not, mass produced.

It is a snapshot into the state of manual trades in a contemporary society.

It also discusses the “graduation” of some trades into art galleries today. Trades that were ones for use have become static and viewable objects to be appreciated from afar instead of in use. (E.g ceramics and decorative glass)

WHAT NEXT:

I would like to research the shift between people having intergenerational knowledge in trades, vs today where many skills are often forced into individual learning. Look at the origins of the last names within this.

This book acknowledges the potentially different attitudes across continents. For example, in many third world companies there are bound to be makers who would love for an industrial automation of their practices. Which then makes us reflect upon why people then still do it today in first world countries.

QUOTES and analysis:

“…In order that the labor of centuries past may not be in vain during the centuries to come…”

Denis Diderot

L’Encyclopédie, ou Dictionnáire Raisonné Des sciences, des arts et des Métiers, 1752

Chapter: The hand,the head and the heart of the matter pg.V||| -X 

“ the people in this book are makers of things. They are useful people. They take raw materials and shape them, with few tools into useful objects. This skill has been a key to human survival for thousands of years”

“We are becoming more remote from the origins of the fundamentals of life”

“In the sweeping broom of technological change, some people remain lodged in the corners”

“The human hand, capable of grasping, twisting and changing the world into objects of beauty and usefulness, is powered by a deep genetic urge.

It is interesting to look at it in this way, I mean it is true, for so many years human hands have shape the world around us and have been capable of so much. Now so much of our work is automated, or digital. There are few careers that actually require the fine motor skills we have evolved to have.

“Modern processes are more likely to force the materials into shape rather than persuade them to go with the grain”

“`it’s not just techniques and methods but whole sets of attitudes and approaches that have disappeared”

 When we talk about attitudes we immediately look at the shift towards mass consumerism. This is in addition to the way I which people value handmade goods. As they simply just don’t see the skill behind them.

“The most important knowledge they have gained  [Artisans] is almost physically ingrained into the person.”

If we look back historically rare trades were often passed down intergenerationally. Now less and less people have the skills and knowledge to continue these practices. We can even think back to the origins of many last names. Smith for example relates to blacksmiths. People just cannot often afford to keep in these practices.

“These are not disappearing trades but persistent trades”

Pg 166 – Close to the skin

“Theres a degree of intimacy about these trades: their products are literally close to the skin, providing their wearers with a sense of comfort, protection and identity”

The rock of ages – stone trades

“work in rock and stone endures: it transcends the life of the builder or maker”

Here we can compare the. Inheritability of handcrafted goods vs the disposable culture surrounding mass produced products.