Craft and Dialog - Peter Dammand

Works

The exhibition “Craft and Dialogue” was a separate presentation within the broader framework of “VÄVLAND” and the project “VÄV”-and its forthcoming book. The exhibitions aims to highlight the cultural and social significance of weaving studios, past, present, and future. Through a curated selection of works and narratives, it explores the evolving role of weaving as a communal practice, a craft tradition, and a visionary tool for shaping sustainable and inclusive societies.

“Craft and Dialog” focuses on highlighting the dialogue and knowledge exchange that takes place when textile crafts are carried out, as well as the positive value in creating something together. The project’s goal has been to carry out a series of experiments and products based on local crafts.

Thanks to the Danish Arts Foundation, Nordic Culture Fund and the Foundation for Danish-Swedish Co-operation

“Craft and Dialog” had a series of small exhibitions. This exhibition aims to involve and interact with both participants: the local weavers on the Swedish island of Öland, and the craft community in general.

Thanks to the Danish Arts Foundation, Nordic Culture Fund and the Foundation for Danish-Swedish Co-operation

The first part of the project “Craft and Dialog” started in the spring of 2022 with initial meetings between the project’s actors. The focus was initially to meet in dialogue about textiles – and the importance of craftsmanship in practicing a craft, having materials in our hands and what this can do for our health and well-being.

The meetings showed that there were a strong and natural respects between craftsmen, generations and cultures. That there was a curiosity and desire to create something together and that creation has a positive value beyond the product itself.

As a result, a number of 2D and 3D sketches have been exhibited, and a series of products have been created, where the handwoven textiles are included in the products.

3D sketches with materials and techniques

“Craft and Dialog” have been an ongoing project, a collaboration with local weavers on the Swedish island Öland. The goal is to create a series of works based on local Swedish craft in cooperation whit Danish crafts and design. The project’s process, products and results will be exhibited in Sweden and Denmark via a series of exhibitions in summer and autumn 2023.

Thanks to the Nordic Culture Fund and the Foundation for Danish-Swedish Co-operation

The initial part of the project started spring 2022, via a series of meetings on Öland between the project’s actors. The starting point for the initial meetings was a dialogue about textiles and the importance of craftsmanship in practicing craft. Conversations about the culture and history of textiles, about having materials in your hands, and what craftsmanship does for our mental health and well-being. The meetings quickly showed that a community emerged across actors, generations, and cultures. It became clear in the process that creating something together had a positive value beyond the product itself.

Woven samples

2D and 3D sketches

As the end of the first part of the project, 2 smaller exhibitions are planned, and its shows and communicate the initial dialogue in pictures and sketches. :

Bredsättra Hembygdsgård in collaboration with Öland’s Skördefest 2022, from Friday 30 Sep. to Saturday 1 October Öland, Sweden

Ottenby old bird museum, designed by Jan Gezelius in 1960, from Tuesday the 4th until Saturday the 8th of October, Öland, Sweden

Thanks to the Nordic Culture Fund and the Foundation for Danish-Swedish Co-operation

Ottenby old bird museum, designed by Jan Gezelius in 1960