Kaarigari

The Kaarigari project aims to celebrate India’s traditional hand block printing craft and artisans, whose craft faces obsolescence due to the rise of digital printing technologies. By recording the unique movements of artisans in their workshops, the project translates their gestures into distinctive patterns that reflect individual craftsmanship. Using long exposure photography, motion studies, and virtual reality, the project captures the artisans' movements and converts them into digital data. This data is then re-elaborated and woven into new textiles using digital weaving machines. By focusing on the artisans' unique movements, the project brings attention to the artistry and individuality embedded in hand block printing, fostering pride and recognition for their work.