Iran's handicrafts are at risk of losing their standing without serious transformation

Isfahan – A mythologist said Iran's handicrafts need fundamental transformation, modernization of aesthetics, and networking with the economy, marketing, and other creative industries in order to survive.

According to the reporter, Bahman Namurtalaq, on Wednesday evening, at the night of creative industries, which was held with the presence of handicraft artists of Isfahan province at the world base of Chehelston Palace Museum, considered creativity to be more than an individual ability and introduced it as a determining factor in solving society's problems, the dynamics of cultures and economic competition.

Referring to the historical and cultural position of Isfahan, he said: creativity has always been a part of human ability, but in today's world, it can no longer be considered as an individual characteristic; Creativity has become an all-encompassing paradigm that affects all areas of life, from economy and politics to culture and education.

Stating that the ability to solve problems is one of the most important indicators of creativity, this mythologist added: A creative person can solve his problems and a creative society also finds solutions to its problems. If the problems of a society accumulate and reach a dead end, it is necessary to review the creative capacities of that society and how to cultivate this ability.

Imitation of the past and imported patterns do not replace native creativity

Criticizing the continuation of repetitive patterns in various fields, Namurtalaq considered one of the obstacles to the formation of creativity to be the inability to go beyond established solutions and clarified: what was responsive in the past is not necessarily effective today, and a solution that worked in another country does not necessarily have the same function in our society.

Emphasizing the necessity of re-creating internal and external models in accordance with Iran's cultural and social conditions, he continued: using past experiences or achievements of other societies can lead to creativity when we adopt these experiences and change them according to the needs and characteristics of our society; rather than merely repeating them.

This mythologist considered the cultivation of creativity as the need to modify educational approaches and strengthen the possibility of criticism and said: To train creative people, one should start from school and university and provide an environment where questioning, criticism and active imagination can grow.

Referring to the role of imagination in the formation of new ideas, he added: active imagination is one of the sources of creativity, and its closure leads society to imitation and repetition. Without strengthening the power of imagination and the possibility of criticism, we cannot expect future generations to provide new solutions to the problems in front of them.

Handicrafts lose their competitive advantage without changes in design and market knowledge

By linking the necessity of creativity to the future of the country's handicrafts, Namurtalaq pointed to the change in the taste of consumers and the evolution of global markets and said: "Handicrafts must communicate with today's needs of society and target markets in order to maintain its position." Merely having a historical background and artistic quality is not enough to guarantee sales and continued presence in competitive markets.

Referring to the experience of investigating the sales situation of Iranian carpets in European markets, he said: During his tenure as the Deputy Minister of Handicrafts, during his visit to the Austrian market, the question was raised as to why, despite the quality of Iranian carpets, their acceptance has decreased, while some simpler carpets have a better market.

Quoting the explanation of one of the veteran carpet sellers in that market, this mythologist added: Among the reasons mentioned, the crowded designs and colors of some Iranian carpets did not fit with the smaller dimensions of today's houses. On the other hand, simpler designs and colder colors were considered more suitable for the limited space of the houses.

He emphasized: This experience shows that the handicraft producer must know the lifestyle changes, consumer needs and aesthetic developments of the market. Being updated does not mean abandoning the identity and authenticity of Iranian art, but rather finding ways to offer these capacities again in formats that suit today's needs.

Stating that the continuation of past practices regardless of market developments can weaken the competitiveness of handicrafts, Namurtalaq added: preserving tradition should be accompanied by the possibility of transformation; Because the continuity of an art is guaranteed when it can communicate with new conditions while maintaining its identity.

linking crafts with technology, art and economy; The way to create new products

He considered one of the important capacities of creativity in handicrafts to be the combination of knowledge, skills and different disciplines and said: creativity in many cases is formed from the connection of areas that previously operated separately from each other. The connection between different arts and their interaction with science and economic fields can provide the basis for the creation of new products and values.

Referring to an example of the combination of inlaying and jewelry making, this mythologist explained: In one of the experiences presented during his tenure as the vice president of handicrafts, the idea of combining inlay with jewelry and using different materials and values in the production of jewelry led to the creation of a product different from the common uses of inlay; An experience that shows that a change in the composition of materials, the design method and the type of application can open new horizons for a traditional art.

He added: "Innovation does not mean stopping original methods or abandoning traditional products, but it can create new paths for application, supply and value creation along with their continuation."

Emphasizing the necessity of interaction of handicrafts with other economic and cultural sectors, Namurtalaq noted: Handicrafts should not operate in isolation. This area needs effective communication with marketing, product introduction, design, cinema and other capacities of creative industries to develop the market and increase the power of competition.

This mythologist considered networking as one of the important paths for handcrafts to pass from the current situation and said: networking should be followed on two levels; First, among the disciplines and activists of handicrafts themselves and secondly, in connection with external areas that can help in the development of the market, marketing and effective introduction of products.

Emphasizing that the interaction between handicrafts activists should go beyond the level of attendance at meetings, he added: A real dialogue is formed when different fields come together with an open mind, without pre-determined positions and with readiness to listen to different points of view.

Namurtalaq continued: When different fields are able to talk and cooperate, the ground for the formation of combined ideas and new solutions is provided. This relationship can connect handicrafts to the capacities of marketing, introduction and economic development and increase the possibility of its more effective presence in domestic and international markets.

Referring to the position of handicrafts among creative industries, he emphasized the need to pay more serious attention to the economy of this area and said: The development of handicrafts cannot be achieved with limited support or relying on its historical background. This field requires a creative approach in policy making, education, production, supply and communication with global markets.

In the end, this mythologist emphasized: Iran's handicrafts are at a critical point; A point where serious transformation, updating and networking can help to continue and strengthen this field, but continuing the repetitive paths and ignoring the changes will endanger its future.