Design&Artigianato latino. Artesano: valorizzazione di pratiche artigianali colombiane

This paper is focused on the valorisation design driven of handcrafted products and practices as important part of cultural heritage. This tangible and intangible aspect of cultural heritage is fundamental in order to preserve, regenerate and relaunch territorial identity. The survey is focused on the Latin American context where the design approach is mixed with handcrafted processes creating interesting artistic and projectual attitudes. A critical interpretation of paradigmatic case studies about two thematic clusters is offered: -projectual hybridization among art, design and craft in the latin context; -projects for the valorisation of territorial identity in latin area. This approach is finalized on projectual intervention in the Boyacà region in Colombia (including Ràquira, Nobsa and Guacamayas cities) rich of knowledge, tecniques and local products in wool textile, wicker basket and ceramic sectors. This cultural heritage is “endagered” with consequent problems in terms of culture, economy and society. In cultural terms new generations are not very familiar with these practices therefore there is the risk to lose the value of traditions;in economic terms contemporary social changes are modifying cultural habitat therefore it is difficult to give place to handcraft practice also because commercial system favors industrial products and large retailers. In social terms there is the risk to lose an important part of intangible heritage -the knowledge- relating to the identity of communities. The colombian culture is based on a cultural mix of native people, it is affected by Spain and Europe. This fusion passes through an important aspect of local culture: the handcraft; for this reason it is important that the expertise is not left and the knowledge is not lost. With these objectives the project Artesano aims at examine the topic of valorisation of handcrafted heritage in the Boyacà area as a key of territorial identity and turistic improvement. The project suggests a meta-design research and achieves a strategic framework and communication artefacts that valorise the network of masters craftsmen, knowledge and products. It is a sort of diffuse museum of the culture of the territory in order to improve the local identity and to increase the turism. The strategic approach allows to deduce some factors transferable in other contexts: variable elements (identitary aspects typical of a specific context) and constant elements (repeatable aspects in every context).