Author(s)

ANDRA CAMELIA CLIŢAN, ANDREEA SANDU

Abstract

“Măiastra” (also known as “Magic Birds”) identifies itself as a multidisciplinary program for contemporary art and design. It was initially built around the exploration and the influence upon contemporary creation and lifestyle of the traditional “Romanian Blouse”, perceived as an identity symbol, as well as an art piece, and the ancestral practices and crafts developed throughout. It was later established as a platform that aims to explore the past and future of cultural identity, with focus on art and design, both Romanian and international. This paper analyses the influence that the “Măiastra” program had alongside Romanian craftsmanship, sustainable living, as well as the emerging artists and designers involved in the process. The program’s innovation lays in the impact it had on the sustainable creation produced in Romania, whilst showcasing collaborative and multidisciplinary contemporary art and design practices, which highlights the ongoing tradition – future cycle. The projects and the exhibitions produced over the years came to support artists and designers who found their creative resources in ancestral symbolism, local materials and crafts, only to innovatively transpose them in the present, through various artworks, design objects, installations, sustainable house projects or sustainable creative processes. This paper introduces three representative projects, found at the intersection of sustainability and local culture, art and design, science and technology, all taking the form of collaborative exhibitions. Supporting local art, design and crafts leads to sustaining local communities, the ground root that could potentially prevent migration to the bigger cities, perhaps even promote reverse migration.

Keywords

crafts, sustainable living, multidisciplinary, sustainable houses, Romania, craftsmanship