Hello Lorraine,
On Dienstag, November 25, 2003, at 02:02 Uhr, Lorraine Justice wrote:
<snip>
> All countries are in danger of losing their "uniqueness" in relation to
> product design. I am tired of going to major shopping venues and
> seeing the
> same store chains all over the world. I am certain there will be a
> backlash to this but not for many years.
</snip>
And even if there would be a backlash, the people being able of the
traditional, sometimes century old
techniques and tricks will have disappeared by then.
In Japan they try to protect some of these and declare some craftsmen
to "national heritage's'", or try to exclude some areas of typical
local production. If i am not wrong there although are activities like
this in Norway, but of course only already wealthy countries may afford
this.
The opposite of that:
Its also an issue of politics and who is in power(=making the rules).
The Nafta Treatise was effectively there to access the Canadian and
Mexican markets and is about to ruin all the traditional crafts there.
Instead of woven baskets - plastic bowls, instead of wooden chairs the
ubiquitous plastic chair ... as in Jemen.
Noam Chomsky spoke about these effects years ago:
http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Chomsky/ChomOdon_FreeTrade.html
(I am no expert in this, but i remember reading it.)
Its about CULTURE TECHNIQUES that developed over long periods of time -
and that are disappearing within a few generations.
Imagine the loss!
best,
Michael
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Michael Hohl, PhD Research Student
Sheffield Hallam University
School of Cultural Studies
Art & Design Research Centre
Psalter Lane Campus
Sheffield, S11 8UZ
United Kingdom
email: [log in to unmask]
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