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ARP Reflection,
My Intervention for the last unit I discussed my I interest in Decolonising of the curriculum through the creation of a database connected to Technical Moodle whereby students and staff can submit video, images and small field reports they come across that demonstrate artisanal Jewellery related techniques and processes.
This collection of processes will broaden the horizons and inspire students and staff alike and break down the repetition of Euro centric methodology of design teach with it’s self took influence from external processes during colonial times.
I would like to recap on my proposed objectives for the ARP:
Objectives
- Foster inclusivity and cultural appreciation: By integrating and building a resource on traditional techniques used in the jewellery industry from around the world we will create a more inclusive learning environment that mirrors the diverse backgrounds that our students come from. This will come in the form of a technique database and observation framework.
- Learning and innovation: Encourage students to think outside of ‘standard’ or commercial methodology and build on unconventional techniques and help innovate.
- Decolonise the curriculum: Move the focus away from Eurocentric interpretation of methodology in jewellery and shine a light on techniques that maybe niche or culturally specific.
- Collaboration: Encourage students and staff to explore their own and other cultures craft practices and bring them into the studio, encourage students to present ideas via demonstration or submit small field reports.
- Build a Template for field reports and research that students and staff can use to ensure ethical observation during trips and work placement, This should contain advice on taking field notes, acknowledging our bias, interpretation of the process and connected environment and culture, as well as any Health & Safety that needs to be considered.
- This has the potential to be a very large project and not feasible for the ARP’s time frame so I intend to project the potential of this concept through a small slice of how I envision it be.
Muir(2024)
Universities such as UAL have a vast resource in the diversity of cultural backgrounds of our staff and students yet I feel that techniques and processes from outwith of Europe are often snubbed.
The Artist Simba Ncube discussion in Khandwala (2019) describes how non white or native European designers are often subcategorised as designers of a specific ethnicity rather than just a designer as if their ethnicity is relevant to their ability.
This sentiment I feel is also upheld when techniques and processes from outside Europe are view in parallel to European design standards.
My “Root Techniques” section should provide a platform and starting point for exploring global process in our field that can be incorporated into student and staff practices.
Contributions will create a resource that should inform future designers and demonstrate global skills, traditions and the culture they inhabit.
Ref:
Ncube(2019) quote from Khandwala (2019), Anoushka Khandwala, “What does it mean to decolonise design”https://eyeondesign.aiga.org/what-does-it-mean-to-decolonize-design/
Muir(2024) https://campbellmuir.myblog.arts.ac.uk/