About The Project
HandSpun, Co-creating Spindle Craft, is a unique opportunity for designers and craft communities to collaborate on the making of traditional crafts in the remote Karakorum Hindu Kush region through a design residency. The residency brings together Pakistani designers and UK based partner organizations to co-develop projects as a result of design intervention and
explore future potentials within, while understanding the cultural context in which the crafts are being made. The residency is designed in two phases; the creative phase facilitated by Laajverd (Pakistan) and the second as the business development phase of the practice, delivered by Cockpit Studios (UK). The two week residency will take place in Barrah Village in the Ghanche District of Gilgit- Baltistan, where a community of weavers and
basket makers are working in a community-run setup. This residency will act as a platform for learning and exchange for designers and capacity building for craft communities, aiming to equip both designers and member of the craft community with marketing and business development techniques. The outcomes of the residency project will be showcased in the form of an
exhibition.
The Region
Baltistan also known as “Little Tibet” is an administrative territory of Gilgit-Baltistan in the Hindukush Karakoram region of Pakistan. The region borders Gilgit, India, China and Ladakh. It has drawn heavy cultural influences from Tibetan and Persian empires which are evident in their traditional practices, language and visual aesthetics. Khaplu, is the administrative capital of Ghanche district. It is a 2 hours drive further away from Baltistan’s capital Skardu. Khaplu is famous for trekking up to Masherbrum (K1), K6 and K7. It is famous for its picturesque natural lakes, rivers and glaciers and architectural landmarks such as Khaplu Fort, Chaqchan Mosque and Khanqa-Mollah.
Residency Location
The residency will take place at the Baltistan Art and Craft Revival Academy, Barah Village located in the Ghanche district of Gilgit Baltistan. Barah is a small village in Ghanche district nearly 15 minutes drive from the administrative center Khaplu city. The Community run weaving Centre is run by Mr. Sajjid Hussain. who is the master trainer and administrator. The Baltistan Arts and Craft Revival Academy aims to preserve and revive wool craft as a cultural asset by training new artisans and expanding their wool production to generate income for the local community. The wool workshop has four trained women artisans and an under-training male artisan. Here at the workshop weaving units and spinning units are installed whereas the yarn making is done at home by village women. The looms used are ground looms with four shafts that function manually by hand. The workshop also has a carpentering unit and a display center.
