Bandung, Telkom University – Telkom University as No.1 Private University in Indonesia continues to create diverse creative works such as the Swastamita event.
Swastamita is an annual event for the Undergraduate Textile and Fashion Craft Study Program as well as the event that ends the management of the SERAT Student Association. This Swastamita was attended by participants of the 2020 final project and third and fourth-semester students.
Swastamita is organized as a publication medium for the best works of students from the Undergraduate Textile and Fashion Craft study program. The works displayed such as clothing, accessories, surface, and structure design textiles, and fabric arts. This 2020 Swastamita featured 112 final assignments from undergraduate craft students and was held from October 13 to November 3, 2020.
The Closing Ceremony was held on Tuesday (3/11) through Zoom and broadcast live on YouTube and was attended by participants from various backgrounds including academics, creative industries, local brand startups, and international admissions such as UiTM Perak Malaysia.
This event invited two speakers, namely John Martono, S.Sn., M.Sn as academics and practitioners in the field of crafts and Harry Anugrah Mawarda, S.Ds., M.Ds as Executive Director of KREASI Jabar.
Swastamita 2020 closed with Creative talk # 3 entitled “Craft and Fashion Industries on the New Normal”. The theme was taken according to the current pandemic situation. Crafts and Fashion are one of the sectors that have been significantly affected. Not a few players in the Craft and Fashion industry finally have to try hard to survive and adapt to the current situation.
John Martono explained that to be able to adapt, we have to develop what already exists. So, this knowledge will not develop if we just accept that knowledge without developing it.
“In my experience, we have to get out of the basics like that. What do we want to do? In fact, for alternatives or new possibilities to emerge in the creative world, we have to break down and think about new works, becoming better treasures for the knowledge we learn, “he said.
John also added that we must focus on ways to build on and develop the thoughts and things that we already have. Then we must continue to develop works that are the next step in making future works.
“In art, we are saved by the skills we have. The skills in making work and the basic abilities that we get at school are the basis that will accompany us to other stages after we go to school. ”
John advised that in a pandemic like this, we can strengthen each other and together build a situation in the context of art to make life better and this can be done in collaboration with other sciences. In the future, in the world of crafts and fashion, we don’t need to worry because each work has its market.
Harry Anugrah Mawarda also explained that during a pandemic, the creative economy was one of the fastest and most significant impacts. However, there is no need to wait long, this sector is also the fastest-growing sector with the help of digital technology, increased streaming consumption, and logistics delivery services.
“To respond to new normal conditions, there are three phases to deal with this, namely recovery, reconfigure, and regrow. We have to be able to adapt from the habits that we previously did, “he said.
To see the potential in the craft world, we must have accurate data. Based on data, in March many people are interested in craft art. This can be seen in the people’s interest in decorating their homes to foster a comfortable atmosphere while at home. This is one of the interesting things and shows that the art of craft shows its role in the new normal era.
This phenomenon is the effect of a pandemic so that the new normal market is one of them in the art of craft. We as artists must be able to see opportunities and be able to create art that has high commercial value.
“Data is important because when we want to raise the level of craft, we have to be right on the target of the craft art which is much sought after and used by the public during this pandemic. Hopefully, we can create new creators who can use technical concepts so that they can support the creative economy in Indonesia. “