India Block Printing
July 29, 2011 8:33 AM   Subscribe

 
Digital SLRs that shoot video have really upped the production value of short docs... They all look the same, but at least they all look good.
posted by nathancaswell at 8:41 AM on July 29, 2011 [1 favorite]


Seeing this kind of thing restores faith in the essential nobility and indefatigable spirit of the artisan/craftsman, and, by extension, in humanity. It's uplifting in a simple but powerful way.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:49 AM on July 29, 2011 [1 favorite]


Hopefully powerful enough that you'll go buy some stuff from West Elm.

From their website: Hand-Blocked Prints: west elm partners with traditional artisans to create beautiful hand-blocked bedding. Create a unique and colorful space with these block print sheets and quilts.

Does anyone know if this means that the textiles they're using are all actually handblocked? Or is it an original hand-blocked pattern that is then being mass-reproduced in a Chinese factory for them?

I hate that I'm so cynical about these things now.
posted by Kabanos at 8:54 AM on July 29, 2011


FabIndia sells clothing and other textiles that are block printed. The price and quality are good too.
posted by vespabelle at 12:52 PM on July 29, 2011


insane
posted by Tom-B at 12:56 PM on July 29, 2011


Damn. I'm going to have to remember to watch that next time my digital printer starts acting up; it might help to keep things in perspective.
posted by lekvar at 2:38 PM on July 29, 2011


Loved the movie. Really felt like a slice of a culture as well as a movie about a craft.
posted by greenhornet at 3:26 PM on July 29, 2011


I've never been a huge fan of fabric prints, but this gave me a whole new respect for them. Thanks for sharing this--I love seeing craftspeople do their thing. Artistry and skill always make for fascinating watching.
posted by smirkette at 4:42 PM on July 29, 2011


Back in the day, the Spencer's Gifts shop in the local shopping mall had a big bin of those hand-carved, and used, printing blocks. I think they were 2 or 3 dollars each.
posted by StickyCarpet at 5:40 PM on July 29, 2011


Thanks for this. I just wish it was 20 minutes longer and they cut out all the B-roll.
posted by gwint at 8:09 PM on July 29, 2011


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