Browsing by Subject "kulttuurivaihto"

This research deals with culture and craft through the perspective of cultural exchange. Cultural heritage guides the material and technique choices in craft. But cultural exchange may change craft maker’s way of action. The aim of this study was to clarify how the cultural exchange changes craft makers actions. The focus of the study is on the craft teacher student’s experiences about craft expression in cultural exchange. The two research questions were: 1. What is craftman’s experience of cultures as a part of craft process? 2. How does ones craft expression change after cultural exchange? The research method for this qualitative study was interview study, that was carried out as four thematic interviews. The informants of this study were selected among craft teacher students, that had just returned from exchange from Scandinavia and Europe. The interview recordings were transcribed, and the data was analysed by coding and thematic analysis. The study results are craft teacher student’s subjective experiences of cultural exchange. The data confirms the view that cultural heritage has a strong influence on craft, because tradition guides craft maker’s material and technique choices. The conclusion is that cultural exchange is very unique experience, which is influenced by individual action and cultural differences but also by the surrounding community. Cultural exchange has an influence on craft maker’s style or craft making identity or it may just give more confidence for craft making. But it may also be a difficult experience that makes one grave comfort from familiar materials and techniques. The research data confirms that both cultural heritage and cultural exchange have an influence on craft making.