Projects
CCD-NL's projects and activities are dedicated to realizing its vision and mission, centring around sustainable development, peace, and security, with the ultimate aim of creating a positive impact on individuals, communities, and societies at large. Moreover, CCD-NL places a strong emphasis on the importance of creativity, innovation, and digitisation as crucial elements for cultural and sustainable development. Working with local and international partners, our projects aim to preserve diverse arts, traditions, and cultures. We foster international cooperation and promote the economic potential of cultural heritage, all while respecting its inherent integrity. Through our projects, we create opportunities for innovation, diversity, and the continual re-conceptualization of culture, development, and sustainability.
Ongoing Projects
Threads of Tradition: Fostering Cultural Ties Through Ikat Art 2023
"Threads of Tradition: Fostering Cultural Ties Through Ikat Art" is the latest project by the Center for Culture and Development - The Netherlands (CCD-NL), aimed at strengthening cultural ties between the Netherlands and Indonesia while promoting sustainable collaboration and knowledge sharing among Dutch and Indonesian artists, with a specific focus on Ikat art.
The project's objectives revolve around various core aspects:
Strengthening Cultural Ties: By fostering cross-cultural collaboration between Dutch designers and Ikat artisans, the project celebrates the rich heritage of Indonesia and the Netherlands, blending traditional Ikat weaving with innovative Dutch design perspectives.
Promoting Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Through collaborative efforts, Dutch designers and Ikat artisans exchange ideas, skills, and techniques, resulting in captivating creations that resonate with global audiences.
Advancing Sustainable Design: Recognizing the environmental impact of the fashion industry, the project trains Ikat artisans in sustainable fabric creation and dyeing techniques, promoting eco-friendly materials and processes to meet the demands of environmentally-conscious consumers.
Empowering Women Artisans: The project empowers female Ikat artisans with essential skills in fabric creation, marketing, and business, contributing to their economic independence and fostering gender equality in their communities.
Preserving Cultural Heritage: With a dedication to preserving Ikat weaving's cultural significance, the project nurtures Ikat artisans' skills and encourages traditional production methods, ensuring the vitality of this treasured art form for future generations.
The project rationale justifies the initiative, emphasizing the need to address environmental sustainability, economic empowerment for artisans, and the preservation of cultural heritage within the Ikat textile production industry. By providing workshops, collaborative projects, and global marketing opportunities, "Threads of Tradition" seeks to effect positive change, preserve traditions, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of Ikat craftsmanship.
The project's activities consist of three phases: upskilling Ikat artisans through workshops, facilitating knowledge sharing between Dutch designers and artisans, and creating an online platform to promote and sell Ikat products globally. The initiative also includes a comic book to educate children about Ikat's history, cultural significance, and role in enhancing ties between the Dutch and Indonesian communities. Through "Threads of Tradition," CCD-NL envisions a future where sustainable collaboration thrives, cultural heritage flourishes, and Ikat artisans receive the recognition and support they deserve.
PAN Project 2023
CCD-NL is currently undertaking the Pan Project, which aims to connect Ikat artisans from various countries with Dutch designers. The project seeks to foster solidarity, promote knowledge exchange, and support the socio-economic development and cultural diversity surrounding Ikat. Building on the success of the pilot project, "The Binding with Ikat Platform," the Pan Project envisions collaborative initiatives between Dutch designers and Ikat artisans from different regions and countries, fostering connections between Asian and European regions.
The project aims to create a safe space for cultural exchange through various activities, including research, prototyping, exhibitions, panel discussions, workshops, and open discussions. One of the key initiatives within the Pan Project is "Art for Health," which focuses on socially innovating Ikat to establish an "Art for Health" movement in Europe. By generating solidarity among European designers, artisans, and cultural pioneers, the project aims to address pressing health issues, particularly in dementia care.
The Pan Project seeks to facilitate multidisciplinary exchanges among experts in textile sensory design, Ikat weaving, and dementia care. It aims to enhance the skills of European designers in textile sensory design and advocate for innovative care methods for individuals with dementia. The project also explores the potential application of the Ikat technique within the realm of textile sensory design, while supporting and empowering Ikat artisans.
The expected outcomes of the Pan Project include the development of a well-tested Ikat-based sensory facilitating product prototype, specifically designed to aid individuals with dementia. The project also aims to provide European designers with valuable learning experiences in the field of textile sensory design, enriching their skills and knowledge.
By reviving the historical connections between the Netherlands and Indonesia and fostering collaborations between Asian and European regions, the Pan Project aims to preserve and reinvent the Ikat weaving technique. Through innovative approaches to health, culture, and art, the project aspires to create meaningful impacts and contribute to positive change in the realm of dementia care and cultural heritage preservation.
Past Projects
Training For Trainers - Training For Natural Dyes 2021
The "Training for Trainers" project by CCD-NL aimed to bridge the knowledge gap among Indonesian Ikat artisans and empower them with skills while preserving the Ikat weaving tradition. The project focused on sharing knowledge about natural dyes, encouraging sustainable practices, and documenting the Ikat tradition. The training included creating short videos, learning new techniques, and engaging in discussions to foster knowledge exchange. The objectives were to enhance artisans' knowledge of natural dyes, produce high-quality Ikat with natural dyes, and create video tutorials.
The project did not require significant funding, relying mainly on the commitment of the artisans. The implementation of the training sessions went well, and a total of five artisans participated, including representatives from PIRN and the leader of Wehor Hadomi, who shared valuable information about natural dyes. However, the leader from Kampung Patola did not attend any of the sessions. In addition, the results of the Training for Natural Dyes were promising, with the PIRN artisans showing an increase in their skills, particularly in making brown, black, and red dyes. Although the black dye results were not yet satisfying, the artisans gained the knowledge and skills necessary to improve. Some PIRN artisans had already woven yarn colored during the training and sold the resulting Ikat fabric. While the pilot project was successful, there were areas that could be improved for future trainings. One challenge was gathering all three weaving groups in NTT to participate. The training aimed not only to share knowledge about natural dyes but also to strengthen the bond between artisans. To evaluate the pilot project, a survey was conducted, and most participants completed it, providing valuable feedback.
In conclusion, the Training for Trainers project went well, empowering Ikat artisans with new skills and knowledge in making natural dyes. The artisans found it useful to learn about the plants and natural ingredients that can serve as dyes. The training also served as a platform for artisans to share knowledge, skills, and strengthen their bond. Recommendations for improvement included smoother communication and shorter training sessions to avoid burnout. The project holds potential for further development, including the creation of tutorial materials and the sale of naturally colored yarn, making it self-sustaining for the Ikat weaving groups. The project exemplifies dedication to women's empowerment and sustainable development while preserving the Ikat tradition.
Weaving Group
Weaving Group
Kasuri Project 2019
The Kasuri Project by CCD-NL aimed to strengthen the cultural connection between the Netherlands and Japan through the exploration of Kasuri, a traditional Japanese textile technique. The project focused on researching and presenting the history and future of Kasuri, as well as its connection to the Dutch lifestyle. The goal was to establish a regular exhibition promoting Kasuri and facilitating cultural exchange and communication.
The project aimed to educate and familiarize audiences with Kurume Kasuri, creating awareness and preserving the techniques. Through academic presentations, historical company involvement, and artist explanations, the project aimed to inspire and educate audiences on the various ways to design, reproduce, and create quality Kasuri products. By establishing a solidified community between Dutch and Japanese artistic communities, the project aimed to create a sustainable future and encourage the blending of both cultures.
The project included presentations, workshops, and webinars that highlighted the history, value, and potential of Kasuri. The events aimed to attract the Dutch public and design industry, establish collaboration between Japanese and Dutch artisans, and support the preservation of cultural weaving techniques. Practical information on applying and utilizing Kurume Kasuri was provided to the audience, offering opportunities for their businesses in the international market.
The outcomes of the project included providing a gateway for artisans and designers to connect with the outside world, creating a platform for selling products and sharing knowledge, inspiring Dutch designers and craftsmen, and preserving the cultural heritage of Kasuri. Overall, the Kasuri Project aimed to strengthen cultural ties, promote knowledge exchange, and preserve the traditional art of Kasuri while fostering collaboration and innovation between Dutch and Japanese artisans.
Binding with Ikat: Binding with Past and Present for Future 2019
The "Binding with Ikat" project, initiated in 2019, aimed to preserve and promote the traditional Indonesian weaving technique of Ikat. The project focused on establishing a platform for collaboration between Dutch designers and Ikat artisans from East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Indonesia, with the goal of sharing knowledge, fostering closer ties between artists in both countries and creating new market opportunities.
Supported by prestigious Dutch institutions such as Erasmus Huis, the Embassy of The Netherlands in Indonesia, Stimuleringfonds, and the Municipality of Rotterdam, the project involved a residency of Dutch designer Lio de Buin in an NTT weaving community. Through this initiative, Dutch and Indonesian designers established connections, exchanged insights into techniques and materials, expanded their networks, and created new opportunities for collaboration.
The project aimed to activate and transmit knowledge of weaving techniques and materials, preserve a shared history, develop innovation in the creative industry, and inspire a broad audience about the rich cultural heritage shared between the Netherlands and Indonesia. The project also sought to open up new markets for Indonesian craftsmen and Dutch designers.
The goal of the project was to deepen the understanding of Ikat among a wider Dutch audience and for weavers to find artistic value in incorporating Ikat into Dutch design. The project aimed to expand Ikat products beyond fashion and create a potential market within the Dutch economy. Additionally, the project aimed to make Ikat more sustainable by involving Dutch designers in future projects. The expected outcome was increased familiarity with Ikat in the Netherlands and a growing interest in joining future projects related to Ikat and preserving cultural heritage.
in Indonesia