As part of the Craft in Architecture elective course at Nitte School of Architecture, Planning and Design (NSAPD), 7th semester students recently spent time working with clay in the college’s Pottery Lab. With Ganesh Chaturthi approaching, the students made their own clay models of Ganesha.
For many students, this was a simple but new experience. They had to work directly with the material and understand how it responds to their hands. There was no shortcut. The form had to be built, changed and corrected as they worked.
Learning through making
Craft is not only about making a finished object. It is also about understanding the process behind it. When students work with clay, they learn about form, proportion, balance and texture through direct experience. They can see what happens when they add too much material, apply pressure or change the shape. These are things that are difficult to understand only through a drawing or a computer screen.
This kind of hands-on learning can also help students develop an appreciation for the work of traditional craftspersons and artisans. India has a long tradition of pottery, sculpture, carving, masonry, woodwork and many other crafts. Much of this knowledge has been passed down through generations by people who have learnt through practice. When students try making something themselves, they get a small understanding of the patience, skill and effort that goes into such work.
Keeping craft relevant today
Technology has become an important part of design and architecture. Students today work with digital drawing, 3D modelling, artificial intelligence and many other tools. These tools are useful, but working with our hands gives us a different way of understanding form and material. For me, as an artist and someone trained in Fine Arts, working with materials is an an important part of learning. Making allows us to observe closely, experiment and accept mistakes as part of the process.
These experiences can stay with students even when they move back to digital tools. The clay Ganesha models made by the students are therefore more than just an activity for Ganesh Chaturthi. They are an opportunity to experience the simple act of making, to understand a material and to appreciate the people and traditions behind handmade objects. At a time when design is moving rapidly towards technology, there is still great value in learning with our hands.
