Arts & Crafts New Design Biennial - 1st Edition

In a vision for a vibrant shared future that is continuing our local and connected ancestral lineages, while taking into account the issues we are facing on a global scale today. This first Edition of the Arts & Crafts - New Design Biennial is curated to nurture information sharing, bringing together a community around the beauty of craftsmanship and the people who practice these arts. With the ultimate goal, always, of inspiring new generations of craftspeople and ethical sustainable practices. 

Passa Ao Futuro is  a research based non-profit cultural association that since 2016 has been designing and executing programming for the continuity of tacit knowledge. Facilitating the sustainability of arts & crafts through positive social and environmental programming based on design and systems thinking.

It was for this reason and with great enthusiasm that Passa Ao Futuro accepted the invitation from SPIRA to be part of the Biennial in curating three simultaneous programs for a diverse public that are aligned with our goals: to preserve, promote, innovate, celebrate and activate the traditional Portuguese craftsmanship and design sector.

Through the conference, the exhibition, and the screening of short films, we invite participants and the public-at-large to have visual, tactile, human, and creative experiences.

The international conference “Craftsmanship in the 21st century - strategies for now” intends to start an invigorating discussion around practical solutions for the continuity of know-how and vitality of the craftsmanship sector in the 21st century, through bringing together representatives of a selection of active national and international proponents.

Together, we  will focus on exploring the existing Portuguese ecosystem in conversation with relevant international case studies, creating a dialog for exchange and opportunities to cultivate collaborations.

Bringing to the discussion speakers from diverse backgrounds, the key themes will be: policies to support the craftsmanship sector; documentation and activation; education and training; and economic resilience.

The Exhibition of short films aims to celebrate and make known a selection of crafts and the people who dedicate themselves to them. Selected through an open-call of Portuguese and European origins, the short films bring to light details in the creation of traditional pieces; processes of traditional or hybrid techniques; raw material preparation and/or collaborations between designers and artisans, brands and manufacturers, as well as educational initiatives. 

Because of the pressing importance of economic sustainability in the craftsmanship sector, the Fair is a marketplace where people are invited to purchase and place orders of pieces directly from craftspeople and makers, it is also a small window into the vast world of traditional Portuguese crafts. Here one will find a selection of products, raw materials, people, know-how and techniques that are demonstrative of the rich variety that exists in Portugal. The participants were selected through an open call, and the selection was organized into 6 main categories: Ceramics and Glass, Natural Fibers, Metal, Wood, Leather and Textiles. Keeping the selection concise within the space restraints, showcasing when possible,  both the traditional and the newer examples of each category.  

The Fair is a marketplace and a workshop space. A place for finding treasures, meeting, gathering, networking, sharing knowledge and tool sets. It is also envisioned as a centralized location where designers, interior designers, architects and shop owners are invited to meet craftspeople and source pieces. Intended to be a  fertile ground for initiating collaborations and outlets into new local and international markets for the craftspeople. 

The hands-on workshops are an invitation to participate in sensed experiences raising awareness about the skill, care and time, pieces take to make; generating appreciation for the craftspeople in a joyful and dynamic way. We are all also hoping to attract apprentices for the continuity of these crafts.

We would like to thank SPIRA for this invitation as well as the Oeiras Municipality, all the speakers and moderators who agreed to take part and share their wisdom, the incredible craftspeople for joining and sharing their beautiful worlds, Portugal Manual for organizing the master classes and everyone who attends and supports the continuity of this important material and immaterial cultural connector, craftsmanship. 

Astrid Suzano & Fatima Durkee 
Passa Ao Futuro