UNA 2013

A bamboo basket weaving community group in Kuruvita and Yatiyanthota in Sri Lanka, with a history of over 50 years, was identified by University of Moratuwa. Even the craftsmen and women had superior skills in weaving they were lacking the modern touch to compete in the modern market. With the collaboration of Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing the project UNA 2013 was initiated to give necessary support to uplift the community.

About 50 years ago a Japanese team od designers and craftsmen has visited Sri Lanka and with the collaboration of National Crafts Council and National Design Centers they have established a training center for bamboo weaving. Several basic tools were introduced and locals from the area were trained with this program.

Later the skills were passed from generation to generation but the same production techniques were used and same products were manufactured for over 50 years. When we met the group the availability of technology was limited and understanding about the modern market trends were zero.

Steps of the project

Identifying the skills and the strengths of the community group
Developing designs that can compete with current market products
Identifying and developing new marketing channels
Designing a new range of products from bamboo material
Manufacturing the new products with the support of community group
Introducing the products and the community group to the market

Usage

With the research findings it was decided to divide the students to 17 groups as 3 students in each group. Then a crafts person was assigned to each group. Each group designed and developed an avant-garde to demonstrate the material feasibility and to attract the attention of the public. Then to design light fixtures individually for craftsmen to continue manufacturing. The Avant-guards were presented in a fashion show and the light fixtures were exhibited to the public.

6 students were identified from the class and they were appointed as steering members for the project and I was selected as one. In the first phase of the project all the steering members worked on project development and in the later period each were assigned with a specific task. I was responsible to coordinating the final exhibition.

The entire event was an immense success. A year after the exhibition it could be seen, several items designed by students were manufactured and exhibited in the national crafts council annual exhibition.

Individual designs

For my individual design I wanted to portray the flexibility and the stability of the bamboo tree by light of the light fitting. Furthermore, it was inspired by the weaving patterns and the lustrous material finish of bamboo.

The avant-garde design

My group inspired with the hollowness of the bamboo and the translucent gold color of the bamboo material.