Week 5 – Digital Crafting& Laser Cutting&Glass Casting&Harvest Exhibition
This week, we explored “Digital Crafting” and attended workshops on “Laser Cutting” and “Glass Casting”. As I expected, digital technologies have indeed brought great convenience, efficiency, and new possibilities to craft practices, significantly expanding their boundaries.
- Laser Cutting
I was particularly surprised by the wide range of materials and the high precision achievable with laser cutting – patterns can be engraved on almost any surface, from wood, fabric, plastic, and glass to even very hard materials like iron, metal, and stone. Moreover, the instructors continuously encouraged us to experiment with new materials, showing no hesitation or conservatism about taking risks or facing challenges, which I found truly inspiring and admirable.
- Glass Casting
As for “Glass Casting”, since I had never worked with glass models or plaster molds before – which are quite different from silicone mold-making – initially found it difficult to keep up and understand the principles. Fortunately, Choi patiently explained the process, and I finally grasped the concept. It made me realize that understanding the underlying principles is essential to truly mastering any craft technique.
- Harvest Exhibition
As part of our study trip, we visited the “Harvest Exhibition”. I was deeply impressed – and honestly shocked – by the prices of the handmade products there. A single handcrafted scarf or blanket was often more than ten times the regular market price, which made me truly appreciate the value and uniqueness of handmade work.
One PhD senior’s candlestick particularly caught my attention – it was crafted from leftover animal bones combined with enamel techniques, symbolizing a ritualistic meaning behind its creation. I was deeply moved by the conceptual depth of this work. I later learned that he successfully sold a small brooch made with the same technique for over £100, which made me wonder what kind of emotional connection the buyer must have felt when purchasing such a piece – once again reminding me of how profound and personal people’s pursuit and understanding of art can be.
