Abstract
This paper examines the intersection of space, practice, and traditional knowledge within the craft workshops of Jaipur. It focuses on three well-known craft traditions: block printing, rug-making, and bangle-making. It examines how the physical spaces where artisans work facilitate learning and preserve cultural knowledge. Although many studies discuss materials, designs, or artisan livelihoods, very few examine how workshop spaces themselves contribute to preserving these traditions. This paper helps fill that gap. Each craft uses space thoughtfully and purposefully. Block printers rely on open courtyards where sunlight, air, and water movement support the printing and drying process. Rug-makers place looms where natural airflow helps dyed yarns dry properly. Bangle-makers sit around circular furnace arrangements that improve safety, sharing, and coordination. These setups are not accidental. They shape how artisans move, work together, and learn skills that are passed down over generations. In this sense, the workshop serves as a kind of teacher, demonstrating how people learn through making and interacting with their environment. Seeing these workshops as “living museums” demonstrates how artisans preserve memory, identity, and skill through everyday spatial practices. This paper argues that protecting these workshop spaces is a crucial step in sustaining craft traditions and ensuring they continue for future generations.
Presenters
Manikya Sai Tejaswini VallabhajosyulaGraduate MFA Student, CVAD Fashion Design, University of North Texas, Texas, United States Chanjuan Chen
Associate Professor, Design, University of North Texas, Texas, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Economic, Social, and Cultural Context
KEYWORDS
JAIPUR, CRAFT, CULTURAL, SUSTAINABILITY, ARTISAN
