For over sixty years, Sayed Al-Mataany has been using thousand-year-old, Ancient Egyptian methods to carve hieroglyphs into vases and sculptures — but major blows to Egypt’s tourism industry have caused a steady decline in the number of tourists coming to Luxor to buy his ornaments. We went to Luxor in Egypt to see how his business is still standing. Sayed does not have a website. He sells his work locally in Luxor.
Tag Archives: Crafts
Artisan Profile: London Glassblower Jochen Holz
Welcome to a new film series from The Modern House: Modern Makers. Over the next few months, we’ll be taking you inside the studios of a creative bunch of makers who produce modern, beautiful pieces for the home. Expect to hear from a ceramicist, weaver and, for the first instalment, glassblower Jochen Holz. Watch Jochen at work and hear him reflect on inspiration, technique and the fragility of glass.
The Arts: ‘Water Gilding – How It Is Done’ (V&A Video)
Water gilding is a process which makes wood look like gold. Follow the stages involved in gilding a wooden frame – from brushing on layers of gesso (glue and chalk mixture), to applying and burnishing the gold leaf.
How to make a gilded frame: Glue applied to wood: 00:27 Gesso mixed and applied in layers: 00:34 Gesso smoothed with dried horsetail plant: 00:46 Details cut into the base: 00:58 Yellow ochre pigment applied: 01:07 Bole applied: 01:20 Surface is smoothed with a brush: 01:29 Water is brushed on and gold leaf is applied: 01:56 An animal tooth is used to burnish the surface: 02:15 Frame is coated with glue for an even finish: 02:33
Design Books: “Handmade In Japan – The Pursuit Of Perfection” (Gestalten)
After documenting the crafts makers and traditional artisans of Japan for years, Irwin Wong assembled this wealth of unique knowledge and culture in a book. Handmade in Japan is a look into the endless pursuit of excellence, and this film represents some of the individuals featured in the book.
Arts & Culture Video: “The Future Of Japanese Craftsmanship” (Monocle)
To celebrate our forthcoming book about Japan, we are presenting a new film series that dives into the intriguing ecosystem that has preserved Japanese traditional skills over centuries. Meet the people who are future-proofing the age-old know-how.
Boomers Daily 