AUSTRIA SWITZERLAND GERMANY

PREVIEW

TEXTILE CRAFT DESIGNER Launch of a new training profile for textile craft techniques

Last year the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training received an application for a project examining the training situation of several textile craft professions – embroiderer (1984), knitter (1983) and weaver (2001) – and to evaluate the potential for restructuring this f ield. All partners involved expressly supported this mission as it aimed to redefine and revitalise professions that attract few trainees.

The textile crafts are usually associated with old, traditional techniques such as handweaving, embroidery, felting, bobbin lace-making, passementerie, pile knotting, indigo printing, natural dyeing etc. These are craft techniques that no longer provide a livelihood as they have been replaced by industrial production technologies. Standardised and low-cost products are in demand, leaving little room for craft quality standards and the need for individuality.

It is interesting to note that in times of economic difficulty, notions such as “handmade” or “bespoke” are frequently recollected and the crafts suddenly appreciated again. Textile craft techniques are part of everyday life and do not belong in museums to be admired like endangered species in a zoo. However, our efforts should go beyond securing and passing on traditional techniques and professions; we must also develop a new idea of society. Use of old and new materials and combinations of various craft techniques have led to the production of one-offs that are not only up-to-date and of high quality, but also meet the demand for individuality. For instance, wool and silk church parements are now produced in new materials, such as metal threads or glass, using weaving and embroidery techniques; designer lamps are felted from various materials; and precious bobbin lace is worked into evening dresses.

The project illustrates that it makes sense, and is even necessary, to prevent these professions from dying out completely, and that they must be revived, preserved and promoted in the long term. However, it also showed that this will only be achieved if all parties join forces, i.e. by consolidating the various textile craft techniques.

A new three-year training profile, “craft textile designer” will be created, allowing trainees to specialise in various disciplines that will include the three existing professions of embroiderer, knitter and weaver. The profession will also include three further disciplines, bobbin lace-making, felting and passementerie. At present, formal training in the latter disciplines is not available. Consolidation of the textile crafts in one set of training regulations now offers the opportunity of broadening these fields, allowing students to work in a number of techniques. This opens a wide choice of professional options for young people while also ensuring the survival of these old cultural techniques. Textile designers work in workshops, studios or companies, and some later set up their own business. Potential working f ields are stage costume and parement workshops, therapeutic institutions or fashion studios.

The subjects to be covered by this new training profile are currently being compiled by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training, in co-operation with experts and partners. The new training regulations will take effect from 1st August 2011. Training contracts may be signed as of now. For detailed information on the new training profile please contact Christiane Reuter, tel: 0228-107-2225, email: reuter@bibb.de, or visit the following internet address (http://www.bibb. de/de/55249.htm).

Passementerie making; profession Textile Design,

Passementerie maker

10 TextileForum 1/2011

2011 GRASSI FAIR The next edition of the Leipzig ‘Grassimesse’ is scheduled at the Grassi Museum of Applied Arts (Johannisplatz 5-11, D04103) from 28th to 30th October 2011. Anyone interested in participating in this international forum for contemporary applied art and design may apply to the museum. A panel of judges will select some 100 submissions and award 4 prizes worth between € 2,000 and € 2,500. The organisers invite submissions from the fields of textiles, fashion, jewellery, leather and other disciplines (http:// www.grassimuseum.de). Subm. deadl.: 15th April 2011

2011 SWISS DESIGN AWARD This year’s award ceremony of “Design Preis Schweiz“ will take place in Langenthal on 4th November. As of now designers, companies and students enrolled at design colleges may submit projects and products completed within the past two years. For further information consult the website: (www.designpreis.ch/doc/DPS _Presse_ausschreibung_D.pdf) Submission deadline: 28th April 2011

SPINNERS’ MEETING AT FEUERSTEIN CASTLE Themed “Faser-Metamorphosen (Fibre Metamorphoses)”, this major spinners’ meeting hosted by the German Handspinners’ Guild will take place at the Feuerstein Catholic adult education centre near Ebermannstadt, Bavaria (D-91320), from 30th September until 3rd October 2011. The four-day programme is packed with lectures, workshops, a fashion show and demonstrations. For registration contact Anna Rose Grieb, Mathildenstr. 41, D-20489 Nürnberg; email: grieb-g@ t-online.de, or visit the website, www.handspinngilde.org Registration deadline: 31st May 2011

TEXTILE KULTUR HASLACH The new course programme for the summer (17th - 29th July 2011) is available! It can be obtained by post in brochure form or downloaded from the society’s internet website. It includes the international weavers’ market and “Fibre Zone”, a fair for yarns and materials, on 23rd and 24th July. The society will mark its 20th anniversary by introducing its project for the future, “Haslach Textile Centre”; we reported on its initial development in detail in TF 1/09. Address: Textile Kultur Haslach, Marktplatz 45, A-4170 Haslach; tel: +43728972300; fax: /723004; email: tkh@oberoesterreich.at; http:// www.textile.kultur.haslach.at

LARGE-FORMAT QUILT COMPETITION In 2013 this judged exhibition, organised by the Quiltkunst (Quilt Art) society, will be shown in various locations around Germany and possibly also in neighbouring countries. Detailed conditions of entry are available from Margit Amann von Glembotzki, Max-Born-Str. 6, D51429 Bergisch-Gladbach, or the website, www.quiltkunst-ev.de Registr. deadl.: 1st Aug 2011

‚COLOURS OF THE ORIENT‘ For the 30th Bobbin Lace Congress held in Annaberg-Buchholz from 13th to 15th April 2011, the German Bobbin Lace Association holds a competition that is open to non-members. Each applicant may submit one object measuring no more than 40 cm in width, 80 cm in length and 6 cm in height when framed. Prizes worth a total of € 500 will be awarded to the winners. Registration forms are available in German as well as Danish, English, French, Dutch and Czech! – Deutscher Klöppelverband e.V., Schloss Zweibrüggen, D52531 Übach-Palenberg; tel: +49-2451/49985; fax: /49986; (http://www.deutscherkloeppelverband.de) Registr. deadl.: 15th Aug 2011