Film Night–Handmade Nation and local artisans

SORRY WE ARE SOLD OUT FOR THIS FILM.

Join AIGA SF and our friends at our annual film night, one of the more popular events during Design Week.

AIGA SF will present Handmade Nation (USA, 2008), Faythe Levine’s documentary survey of the burgeoning movement that has emerged from the blending of historic technique, punk culture and the do-it-yourself ethos, and numerous local artists and advocates.

Buying local for many means buying handmade objects that are designed and fabricated with ingenuity, grit and love. Handmade Nation documents a movement of artists, crafters and designers that imbue traditional handiwork techniques with a punky do-it-yourself ethos informed by modern aesthetics, politics, feminism and art. The film explores the burgeoning art community of indie crafters that is fueled by creativity, determination and networking.

First-time director Faythe Levine traveled the U.S. to capture the tight-knit community, conducting interviews in the studios and homes of noted and independent artists including Jenny Hart, the Little Friends of Printmaking, the Dirt Palace, Susan Beal, Nikki McClure, Deb Dormondy, Mandy Greer, Stephanie Syjuco, Kathy Sever, Buyolympia.com, Whitney Lee, Knitta and Jenine Bressner. Levine also details how Web sites, blogs and online stores have spurred a once underground movement and how crafts have expanded to connect with the greater public through boutiques, galleries and fairs. Photographed by Micaela O’Herlihy. 65 min.

The film Handmade Nation documents a movement or artists, crafters, and designers that recognize a marriage between historical techniques, punk and DIY ethos while being influenced by traditional handiwork, modern aesthetics, politics, feminism, and art. Local Bay Area Designers/Crafters/Artists will accompany the screening.