Intercultural exchange and technical cooperation – tradition and modernity in handicraft Erasmus Project

Project Title

Intercultural exchange and technical cooperation – tradition and modernity in handicraft

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : School Exchange Partnerships

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Creativity and culture; International cooperation, international relations, development cooperation; Cultural heritage/European Year of Cultural Heritage

Project Summary

In order to further promote the internationalisation, the KunstModeDesignHerbststrasse Wien and the Kunstgymnasium Bozen want to establish a partnership via a school exchange. Both schools offer state-of-the-art education in the field of art and can therefore enrich each other both professionally and interculturally. The objective of the partnership is two common exhibitions at renowned sites in Vienna and Bozen with the objects designed and developed in this project. The students are provided with an international platform for the presentation of their art. For both schools, the openness and the approach to traditional and creative handicraft techniques is self-conception. The objective of this project is to offer art students the possibility to educate themselves in traditional handicraft methods of the European culture. The focus lies on extinct handicraft and their special traditional meaning. At the same time it will be demonstrated in which form the new Creative Industries use these cultural characteristics and modify old techniques and apply them in new and innovative businesses.

The highlight of this project is the common exhibition, which, along with conception, planning and organization, complete this experience together with cultural responsibility. The design of the exhibition-objects focuses on old techniques as inspiration and adapts the handicraft methods to create contemporary design. The development of initiative, personal responsibility and self-esteem is in the focus of this project. We also count on better language skills and a pronounced intercultural awareness. Herewith the self-conception will be fostered and in the end the students will become sensible in the tradition of European heritage and in the concept of European citizenship. The learning and practical application of new handicraft methods will be guaranteed.

Another focus lies on the “foreign“cultures and the main objective of understanding cultural developments and social movements. On a personal level, the students’ self-confidence will be strengthened by being a part of this project. The organizing-school KunstModeDesign Herbststrasse writes and manages this project, in constant dialogue with the partner school in Bozen.
The target group of this project is a 3rd form art class in Vienna and a 3rd form class in Bozen, consisting of about 24 students per class. At the beginning of the project each student receives an introduction into this project, given by the international office of the school, and then a buddy in the partner school. By means of emails, text messages or chats, a first contact is established, making an easy exchange of information is possible. ETwinning will be used by students and involved teachers alike to document the steps of this project in virtual space and to discuss all concerns.

Both classes visit the partner school for one week (7 days), accompanied by two teachers. As the main players in this project are the students, who will elaborate important pieces of art for the exhibitions, a mutual visit is of major importance. International experience, comprehension for the variety of European cultures and languages, as well as personal development are in the focus. For the art students, the learning of new techniques and methods will be a main benefit. Being part of a big project outside of school with the final highlight of the exhibition strengthens self-confidence, shows possibilities of future artisan career chances and prepares for the future work-life on an international level. At the same time, the students will become sensible with regard to the Europeanization or globalization as well as their awareness for the responsibility of traditional handicraft.

Special attention will be paid to gender mainstreaming, as the equality of both sexes will be integrative in this project.

The final exhibition and the elaborated pieces of art will be presented to the public by means of online media, folders and posters on a school level. Both schools have active PR and marketing departments that will feed all social media channels like Instagram, Facebook, Youtube and Twitter with relevant news and pictures from this project. Also the school homepage will present the activities and outcome of this project. Ideally, local media will also cover the success of this intercultural cooperation.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 53868 Eur

Project Coordinator

Höhere Bundeslehranstalt für Mode und Bekleidungstechnik sowie künstlerische Gestaltung & Country: AT

Project Partners

• Klassisches, Sprachen- und Kunstgymnasium mit Landesschwerpunkt Musik “Walther von der Vogelweide” Bozen – Liceo classico, linguistico ed artistico con indirizzo musicale in lingua tedesca “Walther von der Vogelweide” Bolzano