Taito ('skill' in Finnish) Center in Jyväskylä is an outstanding place. Situated in Valmet's old riffle factory, the center hosts a variety of craft related activities, such as the craft school, work studios and vocational training. The craft school, which operation model is unique in the world, offers basic education in arts and crafts for over 300 pupils of different age. In its various workshop rooms you can meet paper art students building a miniature of Middle-Earth or an 86-year-old bride weaving a carpet to her new flat.
I met with Hannele Heikkinen, the director of the local crafts association (Taito-Aivia) and Maire Valkonen, the headmaster of the craft school, who both have worked hard to build the center into its current glory. It was interesting to hear about the ways that the pupils of Taito Center document their work. As in most design schools, there is quite a systematic practice of making personal portfolios that summarises all school work until graduation. In the Social Objects project we will experiment moving these off-line portfolios online using the new Thinglink platform and see what kind of social activity can develop around the school work. More news about this later in the spring!
Hi Ulla-Maaria,
I've been lurking for a while and I hope you don't mind but I've "tagged" you. I really enjoy your blog.
cheers, anna
Posted by: annadee | January 23, 2007 at 02:12 PM