Knowledge retention experiments

Four students took part in an experiment to collect data on how they picked up on knowledge through various means. Two students tested the augmented reality tool for the immersive assistance of wicker work. The main goal was not to test their performance, but how well they remembered what they were thought. As a control, two other students tried to learn the same specific technique from a prerecorded video. Afterwards, their experiences were compared. Based on respect value surveys, feedback from the Bokrijk “wicker ladies” and a brainstorm session on knowledge retention, PhD researcher Ian Garcia provided this activity with a strong theoretical foundation.

Craft experts give feedback

Once more, Bokrijk hosted its community of wicker experts and researcher Ian Garcia (UAntwerp). The goal was to evaluate experiments and adjust suitable knowledge tranfer for the pilot Working Wicker Digitally. From this input, we would re-iterate the experiment with the augmented reality setup as a tool for the transfer of TCK. In the run-up to the end of the pilot project, Ian and his students come ever closer to achieving a tool using mixed reality to teach wicker work.

Inspiration Day!

In January Bokrijk organized the inspiration day where its staff and craftspeople interact with the Tracks4Crafts project. This project produced a digital setup for learning the wicker craft that will be showcased at the Bokrijk Open Air Museum from the Summer onwards. Thus, the museum’s staff will have to familiarize with the project and the set-up. In addition, the museum aims to familiarize its staff and visitors with digitization in an accessible way. The 20th of January, the hospitality staff of the Open Air Museum Bokrijk went to UAntwerpen's Product Design Campus to experience this first-hand. Here the students demonstrated their work, including the results of Working Wicker Digitally.

Evaluating the prototype

The immersive tool through iPad was evaluated by the wicker experts. Working Wicker Digitally has worked with students from the University of Antwerp for most of its runtime, guided by Ian Garcia. Now, the students have finished an experiment with virtual assistance with crafts, by means of an iPad. On the iPad, a virtual animation generated by object tracking can point directions or even guide the appliance of pressure. Thus, it could take on the role of a teacher. On the 20th of December, Bokrijk and four wicker experts from its community travelled to the university to put it to the test. By letting these experts test these results, the project acquires much needed feedback from true craftspeople.

Kick-Off student projects

The student projects the University of Antwerp have kicked off. These are going in two directions: the static craft instructions on the one hand and experimenting with hand tracking on the other. The results are being discussed with our regular group of wicker artisans, whose collaboration is being facilitated by Bokrijk, who at this moment primarily takes the role of matchmaker, disseminator and provider of the heritage perspective.

Annual Video Contest

Bokrijk was a member of the jury for the annual Tracks4Crafts Video Contest. For this contest, an open call was made to submit videos concerning on textile craftership. The emphasis is on the evolution, emerging technologies, new market opportunities and other emerging changes in the sector. In total 52 videos were submitted, 27 met the criteria. Hilde and Rien carefully examined the videos and graded them according to the established criteria. They also formulated further reflections, ever looking to enhance future events. 

The contest was ultimately won by Chloe Piraud. From hereon she is an ambassador for the Tracks4Crafts project and will be invited to the Accelerator4Crafts, annual SIF Skillman International Forum and the final Tracks4Crafts exhibition.

Tracks4Crafts at AEOM

Bokrijk presented Tracks4Crafts and its goals before the Association of European Open Air Museums (AEOM) in the Open Air Museum Szentendre in Hungary.

Ambacht in Beeld Festival

The first developments were shown the first results op the ‘Ambacht in Beeld’ festival in Brussels. These were a prototype of a tool for instructing a craft technique, in this case origami.

Working Wicker Digitally: preliminary tests

Researcher Ian Garcia (UAntwerp) performed the preliminary tests to compare physical instructions to physical ones. From this analysis the possibilities and needs of a digital education tool were gleaned.

Presenting: Focus Craftership

Bokrijk and her partners finished the Focus Craftership project, where we took the lead in developing a methodology for audiovisually documenting craftership as a heritage practice. The project was presented at the Firenze Consortium Meeting