︎︎︎



Visual Artist
based in
Manipur, India


I work with Photography/
Textiles/ Print/ Magazine/
Art Direction and other stuff.


Community
Storytelling
Craft
Art
















© Chingrimi Shimray 2023


Craft

Research/ Handmade/Textile/Workshop/

A co-creation project where design met practice.
Kala Cotton/ Weaving/


︎ Kutch, Gujarat
with Arun Vankar(Maru Crafts)| Khamir Crafts | Ruchi Chauhan | Pournima Shinde |

(2018)
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A team of one weaver and three design students began the collaborative project with the intention of celebrating the imperfections of the ideal, the indigenous Kala Cotton yarn. The design direction adopted was towards introducing “on the loom” draped clothing which allows the weavers to extend their traditional on-loom product repertoire towards more contemporary products and a younger clientele.


This is Arun Bhai

meet Arun Vankar︎︎︎

At the youthful age of 20, Arun embodies the third generation of weavers, and together with his family, he manages Maru Crafts.   Throughout the duration of the project, Arun Bhai's family graciously hosted and provided accommodations for us.






 

Context   




︎︎︎Exploring Kala Cotton:

The inception of this project involved an in-depth investigation into the entire supply chain of Kala cotton, tracing its journey from cultivation to the point of reaching the end customer. The purpose behind undertaking this research was to gain insights into the competitive positioning of Kala Cotton in comparison to its rival, the genetically modified BT Cotton, with an eye on the future. Additionally, we sought to evaluate whether the strategies and actions implemented by each stakeholder could contribute to the enduring viability of Kala Cotton. Furthermore, an examination of the carbon footprint associated with Kala cotton was undertaken as a part of this research.

︎︎︎Cost of Craft:

Indeed, a noticeable disconnect exists between consumers and makers within the realm of handmade goods. Within the broader scope of handcrafted products, the rightful recognition of artisans often gets obscured due to the intermediary role that retail companies assume. The growing ethical awareness in the fashion industry has resulted in heightened consumer consciousness. Questions pertaining to where, how, and by whom clothing is produced have piqued the curiosity of consumers. Consequently, there exists an opportunity to address this curiosity by representing the maker and their creative process in a meaningful manner.


 




︎︎︎The Will to Weave:

Amidst its unique qualities, Kala Cotton comes with its own set of challenges, and a frequently encountered one is its tendency to break easily during use. In such circumstances, where can we find opportunities to create products using 100% Kala Cotton? Within this context, how can a designer connect with the artisan to collaboratively craft products that not only celebrate the uniqueness of this indigenous material but also empower the artisan to preserve and thrive in their craft?This approach requires one to blend the worlds of research, design, and empathy to foster both sustainability and creativity.