“Future Traditions” – concepts, practices and personal interpretation. Creating jewellery with the inspiration from Halligdal bunad’s embroidery

Abstract

This thesis consists of both theoretical and practical parts. The field of my research has several branches. It is about the “Future Traditions” project and the participants of this project. It examines the concept of tradition from different points of view. It is about my own inspiration from the Hallingdal bunad (Norwegian traditional folk clothing) embroidery and the process of developing my interpretation. The theoretical part includes information about several concepts of tradition, brief summary of the reflections around the concept of tradition among the students from the “Future Traditions” project, their inspiration and the way of interpreting it. During the research, I had the opportunity to be a participant of the “Future Traditions” project. After the second exhibition of the final works, I interviewed some of the students. That experience and information gave me much to reflect on. Each student has their own opinion and association with tradition. What does it mean for art students? Why do artists and art students take their inspiration from the tradition, traditional techniques and traditional motifs? How many directions can be found from one source of inspiration? I will try to find the answers. The practical part includes experiments with materials, techniques and patterns. It also includes the design process of the shapes and patterns for creating a collection of plastic rings. I want to show the different combinations of materials, depth in my works and to show how using the traditional motif has inspired my own designs.