Open call project selection
Selected projects of the open call Connecting Modern Design, Handicrafts and Crafts
As part of the inter-institutional exhibition of the Triennial of Handicrafts and Crafts, which will take place from September 26 to November 19, 2023 in the Koroška galerija likovnih umetnosti, the Center for Creativity/MAO, under the auspices of the European platform Distributed Design, announced the second open call for co-productions of series in a limited edition CzK #2, within which we selected 10 works by Slovenian creators who, with the help of financial incentives, will design a new product or visibly update an existing one for the purpose of presentation at the central exhibition of the Triennial of Handicrafts and Crafts 2023 and later also at the Museum of Architecture and Design (MAO).
We received 59 proposals, the expert committee: Maja Vardjan (MAO curator), dr. Tanja Roženbergar (SEM curator), Anja Radović (head of Biennial of Design), Ivana Borovnjak (OAZA design collective) and Rok Kuhar (ALUO) reviewed the applications and selected 10 proposals that received financial support in the amount of EUR 1,000, mentoring and support from international experts for project development.
The expert committee assessed the overall high quality of the applications and highlighted, among other things, the innovativeness of the applicants, the observance of the principles of the circular economy, the continuation of long-standing handicraft traditions, the effective use of the properties of materials, the opportunity to preserve specific technological skills, the effective integration of modern issues with old customs, addressing current environmental issues and supporting biodiversity.
You can follow the progress of the project on our website and on the website of the Distributed Design platform.
URŠULA OITZL MAGISTER, LUCIJA PERKO: Brass Teaspoon
The brass teaspoon is a stylized interpretation of Plečnik's elements and his idea of using a simple material to create a useful product with added value.
FESTIVAL OF WOOD, ANDRAŽ RUDI VRHOVŠEK: Kočevje Canopy
The Kočevje canopy is conceived as a space organizer, and can be implemented not only as a cutlery stand, but by extension also as a family of products such as a basket or a tray for keys, combs, or an eyeglass holder. The product is made from natural materials, specifically the remains of fruit trees or shrubs.
ČRT ŠTRUBELJ, LUKA BERNIK: VuVu
VuVu is a ceramic container buried in soil that optimally moistens the soil through capillary water transfer and encourages reflection on the rational use of water in plant cultivation.
MARUŠA MAZEJ: Disfunction
The Disfunction project explores transformation from the useful to the useless. By upgrading the project, the artist wants to preserve the usefulness of the product and explore contemporary styles of decor.
PJORKKALA: Kaduja
A kaduja is a utensil for rising, baking and storing bread. Inspired by traditional utensils and making use of design and 3D clay printing, it transforms into a contemporary product adapted to the habits of today's households.
ROK OBLAK, LUKA PLESKOVIČ Čebelino
Čebelino is a bee feeder made using 3D printing and a mixture of natural clay and sawdust. The biocomposite material allows sufficient water to seep in so that bees can absorb it from the surface and survive the driest period of summer.
ROK OBLAK: Glaze made of construction waste
The project comprises the development of a glaze from construction waste and is a continuation of the Forbidden Vernaculars project. The KRATER cup will be joined by a teapot and a serving plate. The glaze will be registered for general use in table ceramics.
DARJA MALEŠIČ: Corn Dolly
Corn Dolly is an assemblable shoe for supporters of biodiversity, handicrafts and the right to repair. The visual interpretation of the shoe is based on an ancient, almost forgotten harvest custom in traditional pagan European culture, namely, the making of a plaited ornament or corn doll from the last sheaf of harvest, which is supposed to be kept until the following spring to ensure a good harvest.
LARA BALER, BORIS OUČEK: Oreika
Oreika is a baby rattle made of Nuxit® and filled with seeds of native tree species. When the baby outgrows it, the rattle is simply discarded - planted in the ground, allowing new life to sprout from the waste product.
NINA VASTL ŠTEFE: Quilt for Life
The artist wishes to design and handcraft a textile piece that will have great symbolic value and be useful in various ways throughout life. The multi-purpose textile piece can be used as a blanket, cover, tablecloth, curtain, rug, drape or decoration.