Bordando Curitiba

Abstract

Embroidering Curitiba has as its main objective the development of an embroided motif inspired in the city of Curitiba, and it circles themes such as design thinking, emotional design and identity. It explores the intersection areas between design, handicraft and art. The handicraft technique chosen for this particular project is embroidery, the most expressive and vastly widespread handicraft technique in Brazil. The identity chosen for representation is the one from Curitiba, which is supposed to be represented by the visual interpretation of local icons and general characteristics in embroidings. The use of local identity in this project has as objective the intensification of the emotional relationship between user and product. This emotional relationship will also be promoted by the unique character of the handcrafted product, as well as by the story behind the product. This story takes in account both productive aspects as well as the story of the artisan him/herself. It is expected that the final product promotes the recovery of declining handicraft techniques, presenting them as a professional opportunity which might be further explored in the future. It is in this aspect that the intersection point between design and handcraft presents its value, as design knowledges may be used in order to elevate the handcraft to the cathegory of exclusive high end products, where it can be perceived with adequate worth. It is also intended to give the user the pleasure of having an unique product with its own “personality” and history, perfectly imperfect as the human being is.