THE PROJECT
Empowering the local craftsmen community
Many people leave the city of Ada in Vojvodina, the hometown of Bálint. Meanwhile the possibility is given to bring positive changes with the help of strengthening local values.
With itthon. we intend to broaden the possibilities of craftsmen living there, while relying on the traditions and know-how of small-scale industries. We address low-technology workshops that have accumulated huge experience and expertise.
The products are long-lasting, small-series everyday objects – made from local base, natural materials – which react to the emotional and functional needs of a home with sustainable tools.
The collection was inspired by the moderate common sense of peasants’ culture and the colours of the land. Given that one of the project objectives is to establish contact between local makers, the creation of a single product may consciously call for the joint work of various workshops, due to the choice of materials.
The collection combines local values and know-how with the tools of contemporary design, which creates new market opportunities for the community. The project aims to form a community of object makers in addition to generating economic profit.
ADA, VOJVODINA
Introducing the area
The municipality of Ada is located in Vojvodina, the northern part of Serbia, about 50 km from the Hungarian border. The city lies on the right bank of the river Tisa. The name Ada has Turkish origins, it means island, which probably refers to a piece of land not flooded by the Tisa long before the river regulations.
Vojvodina is recognisable for its multi-ethnic and multi-cultural identity. The population of Ada consists of mainly Hungarians and Serbians. This is why you can read its name in three ways at the border of the city: in Serbian with Cyrillic and Latin letters, and then in Hungarian.
Up until the 90s Ada was one of the biggest manufacturing centres of Yugoslavia. In addition to the strong agricultural traditions, businesses were outstanding in metal processing and in the textile industry. But the Yugoslav Wars left their mark on the region and the effects are still being felt on economical and social level. The other issue in the area is the emigration that started after 2010, which mainly affects the Hungarian population. Sadly this evaluation also defines the general public mood. Still we believe that there is great potential in the infrastructure and know-how left from the Yugoslav era.
Throughout our project we aim to motivate the community to use their artisanal heritage, turning it for their advantage, prospering in a more sustainable future.
THE PROCESS
Sustainable and handcrafted
The collection contains small series of handmade home goods made from local base natural materials. Like wood that was cut out in the neighbourhood, homegrown cane and clay that’s been the material of pots and cookware for centuries.
Due to the handcrafting process and the natural materials every piece is unique in its kind.
We are convinced that designers can play a catalytic role through community projects that create positive social impact.
Throughout our project we aim to motivate the community to use their artisanal heritage. We want to highlight their opportunities to turn this know-how for their advantage, prospering in a more sustainable future.
CRAFTSMEN
Meet the makers
Honest and transparent communication is a fundamental aspect of the brand.
The project’s initial goal is not only show the origins of the production and the materials but very much to highlight and introduce the makers behind the collection. Through their personal stories the customers can relate even more closely to the objects which is a key element of the items longevity.
Our most important message is that these objects are not coming from the other side of the world from an unknown and hardly trackable origin but from a recognisable place and person, as a result of careful and accurate handcrafting process.
WOODTURNER
Sándor Uller
Sanyi was our first collaborator as a craftsman. He lives in Ada responsible for making all the wooden pieces of the collection. We’ve already known him trough our family when we contacted and showed him our ideas. Working with wood really is his passion and he does woodturning as a side job while working at a company.
From the very beginning he was enthusiastic and open-minded when it was about experimenting. Not just following our, the designer’s instructions but trying out his own ideas. This way the final pieces bear his handprints as well. The passion Sanyi puts into his work gives us energy and motivation too. This is the kind of collaboration that we were hoping for.
CERAMICIST
Forma Pottery Workshop
Forma is a pottery workshop in Senta the city near Ada.
We were familiar with their work long before we contacted Djordje the owner. He himself also works in the workshop that he took over from his parents. Their earthenware products are made entirely by hand so at the end each piece will be unique in its kind. They were welcoming and professional from the very first moment and we hope to have a long-term cooperation with them.
BASKET WEAVER
Mihály Kuzsner
Finding our third maker was the most adventurous from all the collaborators. As basketwork has great tradition in the area we decided to add this technique to the collection. We were told to look for craftsmen in Péterréve. It is a town near Ada, so we went there and literally started to ask people on the street if they know anyone who does weaving. They directed us to Mihály. He used to be a welder for a long time before he started to make woven baskets.
“It is time for others now to weld a little-bit“ he told us once with a smile on his face.
His workshop is at home and due to a tradition in the area when his port is open you can be sure that he is working.
Mihály learnt weaving from his father like many others did, and by now he is the only one left in the area who works with this technique. He grows and cares his own cane, that he uses for weaving.
