So, people say Sashiko is the Art. They call us Artists. I don’t consider Sashiko as the Art (yet), therefore, we consider us more like artisans, not artists. Well, let’s say, Sashiko is the Art. Then, who defines the value of art? I assume the value of art is evaluated objectively, not subjectively. The artists themselves do not “price” the value of their pieces – the audiences(patrons) define how valuable their Art is. Then, how do I price what we make?
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In Japanese Folk Art, in which Sashiko is generally categorized at, anonymity of makers is one of key elements. In art, “who makes it” is more important than “what is made”. We make a lot of Sashiko items, but I literally don’t know how to price our Sashiko piece as the “Art”. Based on the hours of stitching (then it will be super expensive)? Based on the market needs? I don’t know any “Sashiko artist” who makes a decent living with only selling their end-Art (no supplies, books, and workshops). So again, let’s say, Sashiko is the Art. Then, who makes Sashiko Art? How do I price such a piece like this “Boro-To-Be fabric”?
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英語圏で良く、「刺し子は芸術（アート）だ」という言葉を聞くのですが、正直僕はこの表現が好きではありません。無責任だなぁと感じるのです。民藝運動の中で見いだされた刺し子は、柳宗悦氏が定義した民芸の中で輝くと思っています。用即美であり、また作り手の匿名性もその定義の一つです。芸術においては、「誰」が作ったかが相当な比重を占めるので、刺し子を芸術と定義するのであれば、民芸の本質を乗り越えるだけの馬力がいると思うのです。そして、その馬力は「作り手」ではなく、「刺し子は芸術だ」と唱える人たちの後押しからくるものです……。が、現実は、制作に11ヶ月かかる刺し子のジャケットに、「5万円くらい？」と一桁値段が違う問い合わせをする人が殆どです。失礼だし、無責任じゃない？アートって、そんな軽い言葉なのかなぁ（軽い言葉だから簡単に使われてるんだろうけれど）
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2020-07-25 13:41:18
とても同感です。手工芸の一つであると思いますが、芸術といわれると何か違うと思います。私が住んでいる北欧では白樺細工が手工芸品ですが、芸術品とは言わない、それと同じ事だよと言うと納得する人は少ないです。BOROを珍重するのは特に微妙な気持ちになります。黙っていますがね。
I think that’s difficult. I think sashiko can be art but don’t have to be. Like sewing/garments can be art but don’t have to be. And I think there is nothing objectively at art. It’s totaly up to the individual what they think is art and what is craftsmanship and what is only ‘trash called art’ and pricing is difficult too. Because there are people who think things without ‘use’ are worthless and won’t pay anything for a pretty picture (for example) but I love pretty things so I pay for it what I can afford. But what is pretty to my could be trash for others…
I don’t have any answers, but you always ask such important questions. Reading your posts always gives me something to sit with and think about.
How about the word “artisan” which, to me, means a really great craftsman, not fine art but a master in his or her area of expertise? There are, for instance, people who dye with indigo and then there are master artisans like Shindo. Didn’t Sashiko begin with farm wives who used the simple running stitch to humbly repair layers of farm and home goods when fabric was scarce? And now the beautiful and complicated art form it has become with experts like you! The antique humble is as treasured as today’s lovely pieces! I don’t know how you price them, what the traffic will bear? And we use the term “starving artist” because artists rarely make very much “per hour” of work. My husband was a craftsman/woodworker: did he ever get paid for every hour he put into building a piece of furniture? Never. It’s a shame. I wonder if there IS an answer to that dilemma! I think YOU are a precious gem.
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Japanese Sashiko like Indian Kantha are art in my eyes. In this age of machine made everything handmade with human touch is far more superior. It doesn’t matter what is was considered. What matters is that it survived the odds. And look here it is for you and me to enjoy. Thank you for your posts. They are thought provoking. 🙏
As always you ask the tricky questions.
I think an art is always also a craft. A craft mastered becomes an art. But does the Artist see him- or herself as special or as someone who has taken the time to immerse him- or herself into the craft? If you do something often and because you Valentin the Action of doing it, it starts to speak to you. You become the vessel or the transmitter of the craft. So perhaps Art is always an external definition of a craft that speaks through that craftsman.
I can’t answer your question either but think the word artisan does work. It implies someone who is a master at their craft, a honed ability from years of experience, a master of their craft. And yet when reading that definition it also could apply to an artist and their artwork however, in my opinion, artisan conjures a sense of a honed ability over time towards a learned skill whereas art could be seen as a learned and skilful process but in the context of potentially gaining an income through marketability.
I think Sashiko is best described as a Craft
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