New European Bauhaus Prizes 2023

Project category

Identify the award category for which this project is being submitted
Regaining a sense of belonging

Email user
kreativnice@visitskofjaloka.si

Basic information
Project title
Community and Textiles

Full Project Title
Community and Textiles: Collective large-scale textile installations in public space

Please provide a short, catchy description of your project to be used in communication towards the public.
Aim of the Kreativnice hub is to connect existing textile designers and reconnect community trough textile design. One of the ways to communicate this aim are large scale textile installations in public space which thematically focuse on broader social challenges. With setting textile works in the public space authors opens space for public debate on these issues. At the same time different community events happens that include and intertwine whole community trough sharing, joy and aesthetics.

What was the geographical scope of your project?
Local

Where was your project implemented?
Member State(s) and Western Balkans
Slovenia

If relevant, insert names of region(s)/municipality(ies) involved
medieval and ex textile industrial town of Škofja Loka (and other Slovenian cities)

Does your project address mainly urban or rural issues?
It addresses urban-rural linkages

Does your project refer to a physical transformation of the built environment or other types of transformations (hard or soft investments)?
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)

Has your project benefited from EU programmes and/or funds?
No

Has your project won an EU prize with a monetary value awarded?
No

Is your project fully completed
Yes

Please indicate a date (mm/yy)
2022-12-31

On whose behalf are you submitting the application?
As a representative of an organisation
Please provide the contact details for the project promoter (the individual or representative of the organisation authorised to represent the project)
- Name of the organisation(s): Development agency Sora - Contemporary textile hub Kreativnice
  Type of organisation: a private organization operating in the public interest
  First name of representative: Katarina
  Last name of representative: Sekirnik
  Gender: Female
  Nationality: Slovenia
  Function: coordinator of Contemporary textile hub Kreativnice
  Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Poljanska cesta 2
  Town: Škofja Loka
  Postal code: 4220
  Country: Slovenia
  Direct Tel: +386 30 355 635
  E-mail: kreativnice@visitskofjaloka.si
  Website: https://www.centerduo.eu/kreativnice/
Social Media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.)
- URL: https://www.facebook.com/kreativnice/
- URL: https://www.instagram.com/kreativnice_skofjaloka/
In case my project is selected as a finalist of the NEB Prizes 2023, I agree to share the name (individual and/or organisation’s), email address, website and social media accounts indicated above with other NEB Prizes finalists. I also agree to publish the name (individual and/or organisation’s), website and social media accounts indicated above next to the public description of my project in the channels of the European Commission.
Yes

How did you hear about the New European Bauhaus Prizes?
MAO Ljubljana, Center for Creativity

Description of the project
Please provide a summary of your project.
Historically looking making textiles was always strongly connected to communities and their identities. Textile production was one of the strongest bonds within communities and opportunity when individuals came together, exchanged and co-created. Linen production, wool spinning, lace making and other textile production practices were community works of women and men and bared strong identity symbols. Shared work helped communities to survive in economic terms and to maintain knowledge, skills and traditions of their ancestors. Shared work was always also a social act – community building trough storytelling, intergenerational exchange and relations between members was a great importance.
Škofja Loka has strong textile heritage and identity. From traditional craft skills of linen production, felting, weaving, textile colouring and others to developed textile factories in 20th Century which gave jobs mainly to women and gave them source of independence and stronger voice in the community. In last decades local communities face traditional skills disappearing and closing textile factories. Contemporary textile hub Kreativnice established in Škofja Loka in 2018 builds on these facts and answers different communities challenges. Aim of the Kreativnice hub is to connect existing textile designers and reconnect community trough textile design. One of the ways to communicate this aim are large scale textile installations in public space which thematically focuses on broader social challenges. With setting textile works in the public space authors opens space for public debate on issues as heathy environment, sustainability, social dialogues, biodiversity, natural resources and collaboration of all communities’ members. Works bring art in the public space and make it accessible to all. At the same time different community events happens that include and intertwine whole community trough sharing, joy and aesthetics.

Please indicate the main themes of your project with 5 key words.
community

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
textile design

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
sustainability

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
skills

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
public space

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of sustainability and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context.
Whole concept of the contemporary textile hub itself and all the activities strongly aim towards sustainability in many terms. It focuses on sustainability of knowledge. Source for textile creations are traditional knowledges and techniques which are translated in contemporary textile language. Trough contemporary design this traditional knowledge is actualized, brought closer to the younger generations and transmitted in today’s reality.
All the large-scale textile works are locally handmade with natural materials (wool, linen, plants …) by four textile designers. Each one of them expresses herself in different textile techniques – felting, weaving, natural dying, botanical print and quilting. Textile works Forest, River and Soil, seed created in past two years address questions of sustainability and communities’ reconnections. Works are designed for public spaces, so they are transforming with each installation. Textile works travel through different places and are as such exposed to various weather and environmental influences. And exactly this whole process tells the story of the natural circle of changing, ageing, passing and reviving.
It is exemplary in sense of using sustainable techniques and materials based on traditional knowledge and skills to bring issues of sustainability into public space and public debate.

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience for people (through design, positive emotions and cultural benefits) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context.
Aesthetics is the great value for all the textile designers, authors of the project. Contemporary design is used to bring works of art to all the communities’ members. Being surrounded by beauty, inspired by the nature, changes public space and create environment where elementary feelings of positivity are addressed and expressed. With the public installation we bring art out of the galleries and cultural institutions. Themes of the works attach to all the citizens and space where memories, points of views and emotions are shared creating unique space. All the public installations are accompanied by different events where community gets the opportunity to meet – community picnics, concerts, storytelling, common work and co-creation. Through this exemplary case we believe that different people that maybe are not used to visit galleries and museums comes in the contact with the art. By sitting in café, walking in the town, using public space, joining open and collective activities we bring art and beauty to the wide public.
Co-creation gives new views, skills and understandings to the artistic work and opens new dimensions to all participating individuals.

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of inclusion (ranging from accessibility and affordability for all to inclusive governing systems, design for all principles or new societal models) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context.
Since all the textile works are exhibited in public space, they are all inclusive. As written, the aim of the project is to bring art, design and public debate about important social themes out to all the members of the community. Also, public events connected to textile installations are inviting all and are affordable since all the activities are free of charge. No limits are set regarding gender, age, nationality, sexual identity, disabilities and they address themes common to all.
As one of the textile works Forest symbolises communities and cooperation between members, open communication, mutual support, friendship, exchange, compassion and solidarity, sustainable attitude and responsible action are not self-evident, but are key contribution to survival. Work urges us to watch, observe, perceive and activates us. Just as a forest connects individual trees into a community, the Forest connects five authors and five creative worlds which are shared publicly.
While all the textile works are travelling in different cities they communicate with different communities. Placing them in public space they reach and connects even with those individuals who otherwise would not have been exposed to art and skills.

Please explain the way citizens benefiting from or affected by the project and civil society have been involved in the project and what has been the impact of this involvement on the project
Project would not have meaning if there would not be interaction with individuals and civil society. Participatory activities activate and connect individuals. Impact of the project on local communities is recognised on different levels – public space is reviving and art and aesthetics are brought to people everyday lives. Through these textile installations public dialogue and debate is encouraged and individuals get more connected and have a chance to participate. Intergenerational connection happens, skills are transmitted and important social challenges are discussed in completely different frame.
Exhibiting textile work in the spaces in the city revives these locations which are usually overlooked and not in the centre. The textile installations aim to convey the story of sustainability, a responsible attitude towards the natural and social environment and the use of natural materials.

Please explain how different stakeholders at various levels (local, regional, national, European) were engaged in the design and implementation of the project. Please highlight what the added value of their engagement was.
Added value of involvement of different stakeholders is always the exchange and enrichment of the ideas. Being part of different partnerships on different levels gave us an opportunity to better understand practices of creative hubs and collaborative work. Throughout developing the content and activities of the hub, members found their unique and recognisable expressions. With a communication with stakeholders and public trough large-scale textile installation different stakeholders on national and regional level were recognised (cultural institutions, museums, NGO, textile art biennial, business support organisations, design collectives, individual artists and designers …). Regional and local stakeholders are included also in all the ongoing hub’s activities by participating events, exhibitions, collaborations, workshops and courses.
Without communicating, exchanging and learning from other stakeholders our work would not have been meaningful and inspiring.

Please explain which disciplines and/ or knowledge fields were reflected in the design and implementation of your project. Please explain how representatives of these different fields interacted with each other, and what the added value of this process was.
Interdisciplinary work and different knowledge are fundamental in the entire creative process. Even though the authors of the project are textile designers they also work on different professional fields – from architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, design and crafts. The ethnologist and cultural anthropologist is also part of the creative process so different expertises come together. At the same time textile works combine different textile design techniques – felting, weaving, natural dying, hand sewing. These traditional skills translated in the language of contemporary design and art brings past in the present and takes it to the future.
The added value is in the communication between different expertise for better, more inclusive and enriched results. The message of large-scale textile works for the communities is stronger when bringing together collective of experts and designers.

Please give information on the results, outcomes and impacts achieved by your project in relation to the category you apply for. This includes also benefits from the project for direct and indirect beneficiaries
With reinterpretation of the tradition in responsible and fully aware process all the traditional knowledge and skills are present in the communities. Around textile installations and all accompanied events people start to share memories, express elements of their identity and reconnect with the ancestors. In this way members of the community regain sense of belonging. At the same time in all the events that invite communities to participate individuals become more connected with their neighbours, fellow citizens, maybe future friends. The themes of the textile works address also people’s attitude towards natural environment and also in this sense people get more connected to it and respects it more in future.
Direct benefit project also bring to hub’s members, authors of the textile works, which strengthen collaboration, understanding and knowledge.

Please provide documents showing the results, outcomes and impacts of your project
PDF
PDF
- pdf-1-9472.pdf
Please highlight the innovative character of the project, when compared to mainstream actions in the field of the project
We believe finding different solutions to these challenges, connecting communities through textile is innovative and opens completely new spaces for communication.
Innovative part of the project is using textile art to debate on social challenges on local, regional or even global level. Bringing art to public space and making it available for everyone is also far from mainstream actions. Innovation also lies in using past and traditional knowledge for the present challenges and future solutions.

Please describe the methodology or approach used in your project.
The process of co-creation was born from the hub’s members need to create their own space, finding synergies between the authors and exchange creative practices. Through several months of creation each textile work has been created. Inspiration for collective textile work we find in nature that is closely connected to human communities. We are researching the relations and impacts between natural and social environment. The base of each creative process is research and literature study. Whole process takes several months of meetings, debates, drafts, concepts and its implementation. Each of the designers creates in her own textile technique and with the common art peace all these techniques and materials intertwine.
Each large-scale textile work is a conceptual and technical challenge and unknown journey. But when it is created whole life and meaning of individual peace begins. For its purpose it is crucial works meet communities, individuals that are encouraged to thinks and develop ideas its bring to public. All the experiences and lessons learned are than important part of new creative process.

Please describe which elements of your project could be replicated or transferred to other places, groups of beneficiaries and context. This may involve for example aspects of the methodology, technology, processes, products, learnings etc.
All the textile works are designed to be exhibited in different places. As written, the “travelling” of works through several exhibition open spaces is important part of process and stories that pieces bear. Also the methodology of whole process can be transformed to different creative collectives or communities. The themes that process address are common social or global challenges but each different group participating would create new interpretations, results, answers. We believe finding different solutions to these challenges, connecting communities through textile is innovative and opens completely new spaces for communication.

Please explain what kind of global challenges the project addresses by providing local solutions
Themes that three large-scale textile works addresses are relation between natural and social environment and communities, responsible use of natural resources, preservation of natural environment and biodiversity, nutritional security... Importance of preservation of traditional knowledges and skills is in the front of project.
Contribution of the project to finding solutions to these global challenges is bringing awareness to local communities and call to action on local levels.
Please attach at least 6 high resolution images (or other types of visual representations, if images are not possible) to your application.
If you would like to upload additional documentation, please upload or write below
- Kreativnice_Portfolio.pdf
By submitting your application you confirm that you are the copyright owner of the images provided and that they can be used by the European Commission for the purposes of promoting the New European Bauhaus on all platforms (websites, print, social media and other).
Yes

By ticking this box, you declare that you are not in in one or more of the exclusion situations foreseen under Article 136 of the Financial Regulation.
Yes

By submitting this application, I declare that I am not related to the entities subject to EU restricted measures under Article 29 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) and subject to Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU)1, and entities covered by Commission Guidelines No 2013/C 205/05), which are not eligible to participate in any capacity.
Yes

By ticking this box, you declare that all the information provided in this form is factually correct, that you assume sole liability in the event of a claim relating to the activities carried out in the framework of the contest, that the proposed project has not been proposed for the New European Bauhaus Prizes in any other category or strand and that it has not been subject to any type of investigation, which could lead to a financial correction because of irregularities or fraud.
Yes

By submitting your application, you guarantee that you are the author or have the rights to proceed with the application and to authorise the use of the project and that you have obtained any necessary consents, licenses or assignments from third parties and included copyright notices when necessary.
Yes

By submitting your application, you understand that all the applications that meet the eligibility requirements will be shared for the purposes of the selection processes, and notably published on the secured platform prizes.new-european-bauhaus.eu and for the purposes of the promotion of these on the New European Bauhaus website and/or other European Commission communication channels. In this sense, the applications would be widely available. Applicants should ensure that they present their projects, in such a way that they could be shared without giving rise to intellectual property related concerns. If your submission is selected as one of the finalists, it will additionally be shared for the purpose of the public vote that will take place. The European Union is granted a licence to use and share your application with the general public and the official external experts for the purposes of the selection process, including the voting. The European Union has the right to use the images and visual materials and the description provided in the application for communication purposes related to the contest and beyond. Rights granted comprise the right to store, reproduce, display, publish and communicate or distribute copies in electronic or digital format, including, but not only, through the internet. Unless you have disclosed your name, the European Commission has no obligation to share your name when using or disseminating your contribution to the public. The European Union cannot be held responsible in case any submitted project, is found to infringe third party’s rights. The European Union shall be neither responsible for the use that third parties may do of the applications or related content.
Yes

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you read and understand that the ‘Guide to Applicants’ of the NEB Prizes 2023, available online in the website of the NEB Prizes 2023, is an integral part of this application form and that it must therefore be observed when completing and submitting your application.
Yes