Blog - Der TOTE Hahn.

The blog of "Two Right Hands", the network of handwork. // Il blog di "Two Right Hands", la rete dell'artigianato. // Der Blog von "Two Right Hands", Das Netz für Handarbeit.

[dertotehahn]

EN

Henrik & Günther

A working example of knowledge exchange between generation has been directly in front of our door in the Obervinschgau. Our classmate Henrik is trying to establish Terra Preta, a specific kind of biological fertilizer, as a useful fertilizing method for the farms in South Tyrol. Therefore he needs to gain a deeper understanding of how the agriculture in South Tyrol works. On the other hand, there is Günther. A pioneer of biological farming, a particular craftsmanship indeed, in the area, who is trying out different forms of crop farming in an eco-friendly and mostly pesticides-free way. The experience with Günther was born thanks to Henrik’s offer to collaborate with him not only with his hand-work but mostly with his design skills and knowledge of Terra Preta. Günther got interested in learning more about it and profiting from his help, so he accepted to work with Henrik. While Henrik was able to enrich his understanding of the work life of local farmers. On 10th May we have visited them to Laatsch. Both have been extremely satisfied with this situation of exchange. Günther was thankful for the extra help and trying to convince Henrik to extend his stay, while Henrik was happy to dive into the local culture and continue with his field research. Both highly embraced the idea of a structure, which is supporting further connection like the one between them. Besides all the positive feedback, we took the open task to find answers to the law and insurance demand for our platform concept, especially here in Italy.

IT

Henrik e Günther

Un esempio funzionante di scambio di conoscenze tra due diverse generazioni era sotto al nostro naso in Val Venosta. Il nostro compagno di corso Henrik sta cercando di sensibilizzare l’utilizzo della Terra Preta, uno specifico tipo di fertilizzante, come utile metodo di fertilizzazione per i contadini dell’Alto Adige. Per questo motivo ha bisogno di capire come funziona l’agricoltura in questa regione. Dall’altro lato Günther, un pioniere della coltura biologica, un tipo particolare di artigianato in fin dei conti, il quale sperimenta diversi metodi di raccolta senza l’utilizzo di pesticidi in maniera eco-friendly. L’esperienza con Günther è nata grazie all’offerta di Henrik di collaborare con lui non solo attraverso lavoro manuale, ma soprattutto attraverso le sue abilità da designer e le sue conoscenze sulla Terra Preta. Günther si è dimostrato interessato a imparare qualcosa di più al riguardo e ha accettato di lavorare con il giovane studente, mentre Henrik è stato in grado di arricchire le sue conoscenze sulla vita e sul lavoro dei contadini locali. Il 10 maggio siamo andati a trovarli a Laudes. Entrambi si sono dimostrati estremamente soddisfatti di questa situazione di scambio. Günther è stato grato per l’aiuto extra e ha cercato di convincere Henrik ad allungare la sua permanenza, mentre Henrik è stato felice di immergersi nella cultura locale per continuare la sua ricerca. Ambedue si sono dichiarati interessati ad un servizio che supporti connessioni come quella avvenuta tra loro. A parte le opinioni positive, abbiamo deciso di provare a rispondere alle domande riguardanti la legge italiana e di possibili assicurazioni per la nostra piattaforma.

Image by: Leon Brintrup

Author:

Felix Pliester

[dertotehahn]

EN

Is it real, or just in our minds?

Setting up our hypothesis was the easiest part after our field inspection. Our fellow citizens would agree in our opinion, most certainly. Of course, everywhere are craft-workshops becoming extinct, and it would be nice if they could live a little while longer so that we could use these places as source of inspiration and learning, that the craftsmanship continues to live on in ourselves.

But is it like that? Are young people really interested in traditional craftsmanship? We gave those people a voice, for who we just put those word in their mouth. An empirical analysis should prove it, preferably open worded and value-free. Luckily there was this concert in the evening, with a lot of design students, and the next training school is neither far away. Many opportunities to gather many and diverse opinions about this topic.

Our cultural probe has confirmed, that young probants of our survey are indeed interested in learning some craftsmanship. Their preferred location seems to be a secured learning environment, where on the one hand they are introduced to the activity, on the other hand with enough independence where they can give themselves a try. The preferred craftsmanships are working together with an experienced professional from the wood, ceramics or textiles sector. Because here the individual demand for learning could be met as well as some creative spaces could be created for developing new ideas. Up to the half of the polled people are pretty new into their preferred craftsmanship, another majority said, they have a rough idea about it, but still, there is plenty space for improvement. Here our idea could jump in!

DE

Ist es wirklich so, oder wollen wir es einfach nur glauben?

Unsere Hypothese aufzustellen ging mehr oder weniger einfach von der Hand. Die Mitmenschen sehen das ja bestimmt genauso, wie man selbst. Natürlich gibt es überall aussterbende Handwerksbetriebe, und es wäre sehr schön, wenn sie noch etwas länger am leben wären, sodass wir sie als Orte der Inspiration und des Lernens nutzen können, damit die Handwerkskunst in uns weiterlebt.

Doch ist das wirklich so? Sind junge Menschen wirklich an traditionelles Handwerk interessiert? Den Menschen, für die wir gerade noch gesprochen haben, haben wir versucht eine Stimme zu geben. Eine empirische Analyse, möglichst offen formuliert und wertneutral soll das überprüfen. Glücklicherweise war an der eigenen Universität ein Konzertabend mit vielen jungen Designstudenten, und die nächste Berufsschule ist auch nicht weit. Möglichkeiten, möglichst viele und diverse Meinungen mit Hilfe unseres eigenen Fragebogen zu sammeln.

Die Kulturprobe bestätigt, die jungen Menschen, die wir gefragt haben, sind sehr wohl daran interessiert, Handwerk zu lernen. Ihr Wunschlernort scheint eine gesicherte Lernumgebung zu sein, wo sie einerseits an das Handwerk geführt werden, andererseits auch Freiräume haben sich selbst auszuprobieren. Am Besten zusammen mit einem erfahrenen Handwerker aus dem Holz-, Keramik- oder Textilbereich. Denn hier kann  auf die individuellen Bedürfnisse ein Wissensaustausch stattfinden und ein Denkraum geschaffen werden, bei dem kreativ neue Ideen entstehen. Fast die Hälfte der Probanten gibt an, jedoch gänzlich neu in ihrem Wunschhandwerk zu sein, eine gute zweite Mehrheit sagt, sie kann bereits etwas mit dem Handwerk anfangen, hat jedoch noch viel Platz zum Lernen. Hier wollen wir ansetzen!

Results | Ergebnisse

Image by:

Felix Pliester

Author:

Felix Pliester

[dertotehahn]

EN:

The itinerant interface - #Arrotino

Der Tote Hahn. is trying to gather information about local hidden crafts workshops from the non-online public. Our team has developed an interface to directly interact with citizens: the interface consists of a conversation-enabling device, a point where we could directly interact with our target group.

Our interface was supposed to be easy to move around the city and that let us ride door by door. The main purposes of the interface were to trigger our public with a targeted question, to gather information from them through a face to face informal chat and to leave them our contacts. We have therefore developed a quick prototype that has been tested on the street: we have hand drawn two flags and we have set them up on our bikes.

At the same time, we have conducted a research in order to understand which are the more suitable areas in the city of Bolzano to place the itinerant interface. The first intervention took place during the Saturday local market in Gries neighborhood.

From the first public intervention we have been able to start to map our hidden potential partners and we are going to include them on our website.

Our idea is to bring our itinerant interface to other areas in Bolzano, such as the Parco delle Semirurali and other urban gardens, and to other local markets, starting from Brixen and Bruneck.

IT:

L’interfaccia itinerante - #Arrotino

Der TOTE Hahn. cerca di raccogliere informazioni riguardo laboratori artigianali locali e nascosti dal pubblico non-online. Il nostro team ha creato un’interfaccia in grado di interagire direttamente con i cittadini: un mezzo che permette di iniziare conversazioni con il nostro target di riferimento.

La nostra interfaccia doveva essere facilmente trasportabile per la città per poterci spostare porta per porta. L’obiettivo principale è quello di provocare il pubblico con una domanda per raccogliere informazioni attraverso una conversazione informale faccia a faccia e per distribuire i nostri contatti. Abbiamo quindi creato un veloce prototipo da testare in strada: abbiamo disegnato su due bandiere e le abbiamo montate sulle nostre biciclette.

Allo stesso tempo abbiamo cercato di capire quali fossero le aree di Bolzano più indicate per testare la nostra interfaccia itinerante. Il primo intervento si è svolto durante il mercato del Sabato nel quartiere di Gries. Da questa prima esperienza siamo stati in grado di iniziare a mappare i nostri partner potenziali e nascosti che verranno inclusi nel nostro website.

La nostra idea è di portare l’interfaccia itinerante in altre aree di Bolzano, come al Parco delle Semirurali o altri mercati locali, partendo da Bressanone fino a Brunico.

https://goo.gl/maps/Vo7vBBmWqau Gries local market, Mercato del Sabato

Illustration by:

Chiara Rovescala

Author:

Chiara Rovescala

[dertotehahn]

EN:

Site Inspection

On Thursday the 5th of April 2018 we went together as a group to a small weaving mill in Mals, which unfortunately already had to close a few years ago.

However, this fact was nearly ideal for our project - after all, we would like to breathe new life into exactly such workshops with a clever concept. Therefore, we arranged a gathering and met with a former employee, who willingly opened the doors and showed us the premises and the old, but well maintained and therefore functioning machines. In addition, she told us some stories about that craft based on her personal experiences. During that process, we sounded out that she is disappointed and saddened by the current inactivity of the family business. Exactly those passionate people who are committed to what they do and open to new ways and methods is what we are looking for. However, a further cooperation has not yet been achieved.

DE:

Ortsbesichtigung

Am Donnerstag den 5. April 2018 begaben wir uns gemeinsam als Gruppe zu einer kleinen Weberei in Mals, die leider bereits vor einigen Jahren schließen musste.

Für unser Projekt war diese Tatsache jedoch geradezu ideal — schließlich möchten wir genau solche Werkstätten mit einem cleveren Konzept neues Leben einhauchen. Deshalb verabredeten wir und trafen uns mit einer ehemaligen Mitarbeiterin, die uns bereitwillig die Türen öffnete und die Räumlichkeiten sowie die alten, aber sehr gut in Stand gehaltenen und daher immer noch funktionierenden Maschinen zeigte. Darüber hinaus erzählte sie uns einige Geschichten über dieses Handwerk, die auf ihrer persönlichen Erfahrungen basieren. Dabei hörten  wir heraus, dass sie enttäuscht und traurig über die momentane Inaktivität des Familienbetriebs ist. Exakt solche leidenschaftlichen Menschen, die mit Herzblut bei der Sache und offen für neue Wege und Methoden sind, suchen wir. Allerdings kam eine weitere Kooperation bisher noch nicht zustande.

Images by:

Leon Brintrup

Author:

Leon Brintrup

[dertotehahn]

EN:

Field Trip

On March the 25th, during the »By Design or By Disaster« conference, we had the chance to visit some Obervinschgau villages to take part to some small workshops organized by »hier und da – Gut leben auf dem Land« festival. We, together with the other students of M.A. Eco-Social Design, split up, went to Mals, Burgeis and Stilfs and discussed about possible sustainable futures for the rural area.

During this short experience, we came in contact with different communities and issues that affect this area. Among them, the rural exodus of small villages in which fewer young people want to live. How to keep south tyrolean youngsters in the region? Is this a consequence or the reason why the loss of local craftsmanship is increasing? Nowadays, there are fewer and fewer young people that would like to approach traditional crafts, and craftsmanship is paying the consequences: the number of inactive or closed workshops is growing. For example, in the historic centre of Mals, there is an old weaving mill, which is closed for 10 years now. In fact, the global market introduced the synthetic thread which is cheaper than the wool one produced in this old building… We asked ourselves: is there a way to give new life to these spaces?

IT:

Escursione

Il 25 Marzo, durante la conferenza »By Design or By Disaster«, abbiamo visitato alcuni paesi dell’Alta Val Venosta per partecipare ad alcuni piccoli workshop organizzati dal »hier und da – Gut leben auf dem Land« festival. Insieme agli altri studenti del M.A. in Eco-Social Design ci siamo divisi e recati nelle località di Mals, Burgeis e Stilfs e abbiamo discusso riguardo possibili futuri per le aree rurali.

Durante questa breve esperienza siamo entrati in contatto con diverse comunità e diverse problematiche che affliggono questa zona. Tra esse lo spopolamento dei piccoli villaggi, in cui sempre meno giovani vogliono vivere. Come fare a mantenere i giovani altoatesini nella regione?  E’ tutto ciò conseguenza o motivo della diminuzione di pratiche legate all’artigianato locale? Oggi giorno infatti, ci sono sempre meno giovani intenzionati ad avvicinarsi a mestieri tradizionali e l’artigianato ne subisce le conseguenze, con sempre più laboratori e officine costrette a chiudere. In centro a Mals per esempio, si trova una vecchia tessitura chiusa da ormai una decina di anni. Il mercato globale si è imposto vendendo fili sintetici che sono molto più economici di quelli di lana lavorati da questo vecchio stabile.... Ci siamo chiesti: esiste un modo di dare nuova vita a questi spazi?

DE:

Exkursion

Am 25. März, im Zuge der »By Design or By Disaster« Konferenz, hatte wir die Chance einige Dörfer im Obervinschgau zu besuchen und an einigen kleinen Workshops, die vom »hier und da — Gut leben auf dem Land« Festival organisiert wurden, teilzunehmen. Wir, zusammen mit anderen Studierenden des M.A. Ökosoziales Design, teilten uns auf, gingen nach Mals, Burgeis und Stilfs, um über mögliche nachhaltige Zukünfte in ländlichen Gegenden zu diskutieren.

Während dieser kurzen Erfahrung begegneten wir verschiedenen Kommunen sowie Schwierigkeiten, die die Gegend beeinflussen. Darunter ist das Aussterben kleiner ländlicher Dörfer, in denen immer weniger junge Menschen leben möchten. Wie kann man die jungen Menschen Südtirols in der Region halten? Ist dies eine Konsequenz oder der Grund weshalb lokale Handwerksbetriebe verschwinden? Heutzutage gibt es immer weniger Jugendliche, die ein traditionelles Handwerk erlernen oder gar ausüben möchten, und das Handwerk bezahlt dafür den Preis: die Anzahl inaktiver oder geschlossener Werkstätten steigt. Zum Beispiel im historischen Zentrum von Mals, wo eine alte Weberei ihren Betrieb bereits vor 10 Jahren einstellen musste. Fakt ist, dass der globale Markt den synthetischen Faden eingeführt hat, der billiger ist, als der in diesem alten Gebäude hergestellte Wollfaden ... Wir haben uns deshalb gefragt: Gibt es eine Möglichkeit, solchen Räumen neues Leben einzuhauchen?

Image by:

Clara Gulde

Author:

Francesco Piazza

[dertotehahn]

EN:

In the beginning there was the PartnerForum

In Spring 2018 the course of studies M.A. Eco-Social Design has organized the PartnerForum. Its purpose was to match potential projects with eco-social design students. Following partners were there:

the South Tyrol farmer association "Roter Hahn"

the civic association "da Mals" from Obervinschgau region

the cooperative association "Haus der Solidarität" from Brixen

the cooperative association "Officine Vispa" from Bozen

the art collective "Macao" from Milano

Armin Bernhard, representing »da Mals«, introduced us in a potential project around an old weaving mill in the historic centre of Mals which was shut down a couple of years ago. It caught our interests, and so it began…

DE:

Am Anfang war das PartnerForum

Im Frühjahr 2018 veranstaltete der Studiengang M.A. Ökosoziales Design das PartnerForum. Ziel war es Projektinitiativen mit Studenten zusammenzubringen. Gekommen sind:

der Südtiroler Bauernbund "Roter Hahn"

die Bürgergenossenschaft  "da Mals" aus dem Obervinschgau

die Sozialgenossenschaft "Haus der Solidarität" aus Brixen

die Sozialgenossenschaft "Officine Vispa" aus Bozen

das Kulturkollektiv "Macao" aus Mailand

Armin Bernhard, von der Bürgervereinigung »da Mals«, präsentierte als ein Projektschwerpunkt eine verlassene Weberei im Zentrum von der kleinen Stadt Mals im Obervinschgau. Das packte unsere Aufmerksamkeit und alles begann…

Image by:

Chiara Rovescala

Author:

Felix Pliester

[dertotehahn]

Der TOTE Hahn.

EN:

We are four students currently conducting research for our semester project at the Master in Eco-Social Design, at the Free University of Bozen Bolzano.  

We are focusing our project on local craftsmanship. Therefore, we have been examining economic, social and cultural issues related to the topic, such as the economic difficulties of young enterprises to start their activities from the very beginning, the depopulation of rural areas, the closing of small traditional craftsman workshops and the consequent loss of traditional local knowledge. Our purpose is to combine the complementary needs of young and old generations of artisans in order to achieve mutual benefits. Starting from our research we will map the hidden needs and potential in South Tyrol to support the emergence of new regional networks. Our ultimate goal is to incentivize young people to return to or stay in the mountains and to consequently enable human relations, combining traditional and new types of knowledge.

IT:

Siamo un team di quattro studenti che frequentano il Master in Eco-Social Design presso la Libera Università di Bolzano.

Stiamo concentrando la nostra ricerca per il nostro progetto di semestre sull’artigianato locale. Abbiamo esaminato i problemi economici, sociali e culturali legati alle realtà artigiane, come per esempio la difficoltà per le giovani aziende di aprire una nuova attività, la depopolazione delle aree rurali, la chiusura dei piccoli laboratori artigiani e la conseguente perdita delle conoscenze tradizionali locali. Il nostro scopo è quello di trovare e combinare i bisogni complementari delle nuove e vecchie generazioni di artigiani, in modo che entrambi ne traggano vantaggio. Partendo dalla nostra ricerca, stiamo creando una mappa dei bisogni e dei potenziali nascosti in Alto Adige, per supportare la crescita di una nuova rete regionale. Il nostro obiettivo è quello di incentivare i giovani appassionati di artigianato a restare o a tornare nelle aree montane e, di conseguenza, stabilire nuove connessioni, combinando le conoscenze di due diverse generazioni.

DE:

Wir sind vier Studierende vom Master Ökosoziales Design an der Freien Universität Bozen. Derzeit recherchieren wir für und arbeiten an unser Semesterprojekt.

Dieses konzentriert sich auf lokale, traditionelle Handwerkskünste. Deshalb haben wir uns mit wirtschaftlichen, sozialen und kulturellen Schwierigkeiten, wie die Aufnahme des Betriebs  junge Unternehmen, Landflucht sowie der Schließung kleiner, traditioneller Familienbetriebe und dem daraus resultierenden Verlust von traditionellem, lokalem Wissen, beschäftigt. Unsere Absicht ist es, die komplementären Bedürfnisse junger und alter Handwerker Generationen zu kombinieren, um so gegenseitigen Nutzen zu erreichen. Ausgehend von unserer Forschung werden wir die verborgenen Bedürfnisse und Potenziale in Südtirol aufzeigen, um das Entstehen neuer regionaler Netzwerke zu unterstützen. Unser Ziel dabei ist es, Anreize für junge Menschen zu schaffen, in den Bergen zu bleiben oder dorthin zurückzukehren und menschliche Beziehungen zu ermöglichen, indem traditionelle und neue Arten von Wissen vereint werden.

Author:

Chiara Rovescala