Materials Dialogues
A Design Perspective on DIY Materials to Explore New Frontiers of Craftsmanship

Politecnico di Milano and Artex present Materials Dialogues, a series of workshops dedicated to the world of materials and their creative potential. This project invites young designers, students, makers, and young artisans to immerse themselves in a hands-on and reflective experience, discovering techniques, cultures, and future possibilities related to the world of craftsmanship. The workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, and Thursday, May 15 in Florence, Italy.

        Materials Dialogues aims to rethink the role of materials - whether in artisanal or industrial products - not only as functional tools but also as carriers of cultural, historical, and symbolic value. Through the exploration of Traditional Crafts Knowledge (TCK), the workshops aim to stimulate reflection on how such skills can remain alive and relevant through a dynamic and adaptable approach.

        At the heart of the experience are action and experimentation. Participants will be involved in practical activities, working with bioplastics, biocomposites, and natural binders (gelatin, pectin, starches, etc.), combined with waste or recovered materials (textile fibers, organic residues). The goal is not just to produce, but also to reflect on the value of materials, their transformative potential, and the possibility of integrating them into new sustainable practices.

        Each participant is invited to bring an artisanal object that is interesting for its use of materials, as well as waste materials. A welcome PDF kit will be provided before the workshop to support collection and preparation.

        The proposed themes cover a broad range of interests: from DIY and tinkering as exploratory methods, to sharing sources of inspiration and trends for emerging materials. The workshops will encourage participants to document processes, techniques, and reflections, and to discuss how new techniques can transform craft practices without betraying their cultural roots.

        Here is the program for the two days:

        Wednesday, May 14 (full day, approx. 7 hours)– Understanding Materiality and Context

        09:30 – 13:00:

        - Theoretical introduction to the DIY materials approach and TCK

        - Hands-on material experience exercise: sensory and interpretative analysis of materials (theory and practice)

        - Discussion and reflection gathering

        14:00 – 17:30

        - Introduction to material characterization

        - Introduction to tinkering: why and how it opens new craft possibilities + experimentation

        - Practical creation of bioplastics using basic recipes

        Thursday, May 15 (full day, approx. 7 hours) – Experimentation and Documentation

        09:30 – 13:00

        - Introduction to dyeing techniques with natural colors, specifically for textiles

        - How to document processes

        14:00 – 17:30

        - Experimentation and tinkering

        - Presentation of results: experiments, material samples

        - Discussion: what is the impact of material experimentation on craft and design?

        - Final reflections on knowledge transmission and material storytelling

        Registration is open until Friday, May 9, 2025. Register here:

        https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeRDRTYQBWbKnb9aIt1MZbwHxmVA90P_cv4B-UmYRgnUUcpBw/viewform?usp=header

        Note: The workshop will be held in Italian, including group discussions. If you speak English but understand Italian and would still like to join, you are more than welcome! 

        For more information about the project, or to share feedback and comments, please contact: Samuele Nespeca, s.nespeca@artex.firenze.it

        in N9
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