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| Manufactum, High-end craftsmanship in Belgium |
Anyone who
knows me personally, knows that I am incredibly passionate about traditional
high-quality craftsmanship and that I’m always looking for ways to put my own
craft in the limelight through demonstrations and group exhibitions. Another
way of promoting craftsmanship is through an editorial contribution in the
press, e.g. “Pearls of Craftsmanship”, a quality label for craftsmanship of the
highest quality.
A book
about craftsmanship in Belgium
An idea
I’ve been juggling with for the past 5 years, is a book about renowned Belgian
companies who still work according to traditional methods. I am certain that
this book would bring an added value to any bookstore. I’m not talking about an
expensive pictorial book with some nice page-sized pictures depicting close-ups
of interiors, but rather a book about the craftsman behind the finished
product, not unlike the one the Dutch publishing house “ Spectrum” published
in the mid-80s. The book I’m talking about should give the reader a clear image
of the workshop, philosophy and working methods of the craftsman.
Publishing a book
A few years
ago I tried to bring the idea to life. I tried to gather as much information as
possible from several publishing houses in order to start up this project. I
also visited a number of illustrious photographers to check if they might be
willing to come on board with the idea. It all turned out to be a lot harder
than I thought. People weren’t easily persuaded or had their own vision on how
to approach such a project. Most of the time people were of the opinion that a
“nice” book with pictures of interiors would sell better.
I own a number of these books myself, and I have to be honest, this type of book becomes rapidly outdated.
I own a number of these books myself, and I have to be honest, this type of book becomes rapidly outdated.
So called
“tasteful” pictures of interiors become obsolete in no time and the book is no
longer in the public’s eye or sold for that matter. It is much like revisiting
10 year old magazines on interior design and thinking to yourself “forget about
retro, this just looks outdated and tasteless”.
A book on companies that still work according to traditional methods, a book on métiers or a book that actually shows the creation of something done by hand, defies the imagination, inspires people and earns their respect…and most importantly never goes out of fashion.
A book on companies that still work according to traditional methods, a book on métiers or a book that actually shows the creation of something done by hand, defies the imagination, inspires people and earns their respect…and most importantly never goes out of fashion.
The
financial side of the story
Financially,
it wasn’t in my capacity to publish such a unique book or reference work on my
own. But for those who know me, it’s already clear that once I have something
in mind, it’s impossible to deter me.
Another line of reasoning was to get a number of renowned companies involved who had the financial means to support such a tasteful project and in the process attach the name of their company to the art of craftsmanship and the Belgian quality label.
Another line of reasoning was to get a number of renowned companies involved who had the financial means to support such a tasteful project and in the process attach the name of their company to the art of craftsmanship and the Belgian quality label.
I suggested
they used this book as a promotional gift for their clients, for the holidays
or just as a token of appreciation.
This way, they could show people that the quality of the selected companies was equal to the quality of the company who sponsored the book. But alas, this idea wasn’t well-received either. Apparently they didn’t believe in their own trade enough.
This way, they could show people that the quality of the selected companies was equal to the quality of the company who sponsored the book. But alas, this idea wasn’t well-received either. Apparently they didn’t believe in their own trade enough.
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| Patrick Damiaens, ornamental woodcarver |
“Manufactum”,
the book
In the
spring of 2014, I was contacted by publishing house “Snoeck”, who asked me if I
had any interest collaborating on a book called “Manufactum”, a book about traditional
high-quality craftsmanship in Belgium. Finally, I thought, a publisher with the
guts to take on this challenge. I told the people at “Snoeck” about my previous
attempts to have such a book published and eagerly pledged my allegiance to
help select the “right crafts” to ensure the quality of the book.
This was no easy feat, seeing as the publishing house had certain preferences regarding the selection, but nevertheless, we ended up creating a marvelous book; a book that tells 20 fascinating stories, with the highest esteem for the trade, I might add, about the workshops of 20 Belgian craftsmen, each with their own unique specialty. Manufactum draws you into the world of a group of craftsmen who’ve turned durability and tradition into their passion.
You undoubtedly understand the joy I feel of having had the pleasure to contribute to the realization of such an amazing book.
This was no easy feat, seeing as the publishing house had certain preferences regarding the selection, but nevertheless, we ended up creating a marvelous book; a book that tells 20 fascinating stories, with the highest esteem for the trade, I might add, about the workshops of 20 Belgian craftsmen, each with their own unique specialty. Manufactum draws you into the world of a group of craftsmen who’ve turned durability and tradition into their passion.
You undoubtedly understand the joy I feel of having had the pleasure to contribute to the realization of such an amazing book.
____________________________________________________
________________________________________
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The book
will be published in November 2014 and will cost 30 euros. Both a Dutch-French
and an English-French edition will be available in stores. It’s a hard-back
that consists of 160 pages.
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| Book Manufactum |
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These are the 20 professionals in the book
These are the 20 professionals in the book
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Atelier Menchior - Plaster models
established 1850
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| Manufactum | Atelier Menchior, plaster models and ornaments |
Atelier KERAT, Restoration of ART
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| Atelier Kerat Restoration of art |
MAENE,Pianos
established 1938
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| MAENE Piano creation |
Angel Barrero: master of the art of Scagliola
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| Manufactum |Angel Barrero, Scagliola |
Manufacture De Wit, tapesteries
established 1889
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| Manufacture De Wit, Restoration Tapesteries |
Lutson, Gold Leather
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| LUTSON, Gold leather |
Quireyns, Stonemason
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| Walter Quireyns, stonemason |
FALK, Copper cookware
3 generations
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| FALK, professional-grade copper cookware |
Foundry, De Clercq-Ginsberg
3 generations
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| Manufactum |Foundry, De Clercq-Ginsberg | bronze casting |
Lefevre Interiors, Paneling
established 1890
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| Lefevre Interiors, Paneling and interiors |
EMYSFEER, Upholstery
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| Manufactum |Fanny Jean, upholstery | Emysfeer |
Diederik Willem Vanderheyden, trompe l'oeil
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| Diederik Willem Vanderheyden, Interior illusions, trompe l'oeil |
TONDAT, Intarsio and Venetian terrazzo
3 generations
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| Manufactum| TONDAT, Venetian terrazzo, Intarsio |
Ralph Baggaley, Leather Creations
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| Ralph Baggaley, Leather creations |
Atelier Mestdagh,stained glass windows
established 1947
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| Manufactum |Atelier Mestdagh, stained glass windows |
Pels-d'Hondt, Organs
established 1892
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| Pels-d'Hondt, Organs | manufacturer church organs |
Dujardyn, artisanal forge
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| Manufactum |The artisanal forge Dujardyn artconcept |
t'Gebinte, Mill constructor
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| Manufactum | t'Gebinte Mill constructor |
Patrick Damiaens, Ornamental Woodcarver
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| Patrick Damiaens, Ornamental Woodcarver |
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| https://www.patrickdamiaens.info |
Patrick Damiaens is Member of Pearls of Craftsmanship
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| Manufactum the book |
This is a great idea. In my own country, the US there are very few companies left that focus on quality and service. Mostly it's what one of my co-workers called the minimum viable product. The cheapest thing they can make, that we will still purchase. Every country has some great individuals and companies and that you've decided to focus on yours is a great thing.
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