Issue 48

The Taiwanese artist Carrie Kuo talks to Horizon Thailand about the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute (NTCRI) and the collaboration between Thai and Taiwanese arts and crafts at the International Innovative Craft Fair (IICF) in March 2016.

Can you tell us about the NTCRI?
NTCRI has long promoted craft culture and fostered the Taiwanese cultural and creative industry. It also provides internship opportunities for college and university, graduate and undergraduate students, both domestic and foreign to retain the concept of promoting craft aesthetics, nurture art and culture professionals, and deepen cultural art education. NTCRI has once again been invited to participate at IICF 2016, showing the concept of innovative design meets traditional culture to create contemporary craft.

What is the purpose of joining IICF?
As the event is a practical stage to attract professional buyers, designers, craftsmen and distributors, it is an important platform for companies and buyers to seek collaborators for market development and trends. So NTCRI is participating for a second year with the hope that taking part in IICF 2016 will help Taiwanese cultural and creative industry enhance its competitiveness and tap into the Southeast Asian market.

What are the outstanding collections to represent Taiwanese materials and techniques?
Our arts and crafts are open to both small and large scale productions. For example, the Tung flower bag which combines indigo dye water patterns and floral fabrics, it’s a true showcase of Taiwanese indigo dye techniques. Another one is recycled wood and newspaper to preserve the environment. And the last example would be the use of ancient craft techniques; how traditional tree bark fabrics can be used to create a variety of modern and colourful outfits.

What is the collaboration between Taiwanese and Thai arts and crafts?
As we have been invited to join IICF for the second time this year, we want to not only focus on the cultural exchange and to promote local arts as we have to date, but to learn about inspiration, as well as encourage initiative, creativity, innovation and share some similar techniques, such as indigo dyeing, or how to re-use resources such as wood and newspaper. 

What do you think about Thailand’s arts and crafts?
Thailand is recognised for its design skill and craftsmanship, especially hand-made delicate techniques. Being invited to join this event is a good opportunity to exchange culture, crafts, knowledge and techniques not only for Taiwanese artists to learn from Thais, but we ourselves can help widen our vision in terms of creativity.

What are your plans and expectations for this project in the future?
Every year, the fair features a wide variety of products to showcase innovation and promote the craftsmanship of different regions. We hope that bringing together craftsmen, designers and professional distributers will enable more creative ideas. In this way, the fair will not only be a place for cultural exchange but also a site for the creation of business opportunities.