CAACT Newsletter 1972

C A AC '.i'
N E 'vi S L E T T E H.
PRODUCED FOR THE CRAE"T ASSOCJ.ATI01'T OF THE
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
VOL. NO. 2 MAY 1973
EDITORIAL
'l'he last Edi torlal I vr.c(,te was entitled "Why the Craft As::::ociation ?11
in which I t:?::ied to look at the role and purpose of Craft Associat:i.ons.
The fact that they are continuing and thriving indicates
that they have a reason for existence and serve a definite neGd.
The fact that the Government has set up a Craft Enquiry and a
Craft Board indicates that the crafts a"t'e being taken se:?::iously
and. that craftsmen are being considered as necessary and important
mP.mbers of the community.
That more and more :people ar e:igaging in craft work demonstrates
the r..eed that ma.riy people have for creative expression and the
natisfaction they can obtain from getting close to natural
mater:i..als and. f-com acq_ui:dng skills ?
One of the satisfaction::, a craftsrc2n can enjoy, is to ha v -e hia
work sc::en, cowmented on and, hopefully, ad.'llired.
Perha.ps tho best vehicle for this is an exhibition.
serv·e a number of functionB:
Exhibi t;i.or.:::
The cra.f·csman can see his work :L.'1 different surroundings,
which perhaps ID3.kes him rec1.ssess what he is do:L.--ig.
They provide a basis of comparison with the wo"t'k of other
craftsmen.
They can elicit constructive criticism fro;:n o·her craftsmen
and from the public, of the work shovm.
T!1ey can result in sales, whfoh n0t o:ily rays off some of the
overhead but also shows that someone val-u.es the work eno'Li.gh
to pay money for it.
Thy can give the people at-te;idir,g the exhibition a good deal
c.f pleasu.::::e"
They can be edu(;ational to the pu'bllc as v,ell as to the
craftsmen.
They might even inspire other people to t:r.y their hand at
c!.'aft work.
They can add up, collectively 1 to an expression of what the
creat:i.ve people of a country are doi11g.

REPORTS OF FUNCTIONS
W OR1IBI-IOP FOR r10:BILES
4o
'.l'he first CA.ACT workshop for 1973, held on 24 and 25 March, was
concerned with mobile construction and broader problems of
structural design.
Monica Gerondal led the workshop and coverecl, during the Saturday
morning session, the basic principles of mobile constru.cticns -
design, especially balance, and choice of materials o Large
bamboo reeds, coat-ha.'1gers, copper and metal rods were used
most effectively to illustrate the p:::-oblems of "balance points"
- their establishment a;nd the rather rapid disequilibrium caused
by their loss. Heavy ropa was used to illustrate the type of
knot that Monica has found. to be most successful in securing
objects to the rods and the rods to each other and the gxoup
readily mastered this knot in fishing l.ines of v a rying thickness.
A selection of mobiles from books were examined, along with
several mobiles Monica had made aud construction and design
points were noted and discussed.
The theoretical aspects of mobile construction covered during
the first session, the rest of the weekend was spent in construction.
Ass0_;:-ted snails shells Y copper wire, metal discs, woode.n
shapes, bottles, dried flowers J.ight bulbs s ping :pc-1g balls,
bamboo sticks, rods of all description, fishing wire, thread
and leather thong.ing were used jn the structures that evolved.a
Those participating in this work2hop offered assistance and
encouragement to each other and under Monica 1 s interested arnl
lively guidance many extremely attractive mobiles wex·e constructed.
Warm thar.tks both to Monica for her time, patience and
enthusiastic approach a:n.d to the Wrigley I s, who offered their
home for the Satut:>day aftecnoon a.--id Sunday sessions.
Judy Richmond.
JAMES NOEL WHI'l.'E, the Vice President of the European :Branch o:c
the World Craft Council was of tremendous help and interest tt,
those CAACT members who atten.dsd the February discussion meeti1
at 2A, Mugga Way ,,
He spoke about the problems difficulties, mistakes a:r.rl sucGe8ses
experienced in the setting up of the Craft Centre of' Great
Britain and related the si t uation in :Belgium, Sweden and Italy
Tl1e question of government aj_d and its influence wa.s a1so
e:;.."Plored and there was nn:;.ch d:Ls1c.ussion about the reasons -
economic and cultural - for en,otJ.raging the setting up of
workshops. These are successfully opex·ated by Master Craftsmen

PJ..ec1.se phone Ann Gusta - 959295 Y or Peter Le Grand 632461 and
let us know how many of you are coming - AGAIN, THERE IS :!'TO COST.
8 ..,
L1 o
LEATHER WORKSHOP:
This j.s an instructional workshop, led by two leather craftsmen
from Sy d ney. The craftsmen, Paul Pulati and his wife, will
leB.d the workshop members in the rudiments of leather working
a,d some emphasis will be placed on the use of "round the home
oddments 11 , which can be succ,essfully utilized in the execution
of this cr a fto So here you have an excellent opportunity to
sea how to maintain a craft with simple tools and without
necessarily incuring excessive initial costs.
Those attending, will of necessity need to provide their own
leather. This will be indicated (i.e. leather t;y-pe, tools
etco) ac the design discussion - July 12th, '73 - (see item 3).
ALSO SEE WORK.SHOP ACCEP'l 1 ANCE FORM lNCLUDED lN THIS ISSUE.
VENUE: As yet to be confir:rued but will be held in a wool shed
on a property of close proximity to Canberra. The dw:·ation of
the 'i..llstructional I workshop will be 1 day August 4th 1 '73,
10.30 c:..m to 4.30 pmo inclusive •· so bring your nose-1ago
For further information, please contact Emily Hurt on 863738
or Freya van Holst Pellek.aan on 861040.
So there is your programme for the next 4 odd months, if you
feel moved ·to contribute progra.IDJ!Je/fu,.,.ctions suggestions, then
don't move in mysterious ways, bu· outline your suggestions
addressed to Craft Association cf the A.C .T. (l!'UNC'I;IONS),
P.O. Box 299, MPJW.KA, A .C. T. 2603.
In October, to coincide with the opening of The Sydney Opera
House, Peter Travis of Sy d ney will be organising an exhibition
o= craft work details of which will appear in the next newslette:c
LOOM SCHOOL CORRECTION:
In the Feb.ruary newsletter the weaving tallght e,t this school
wz.s desc:i:ibed as Inca This was incorrect and should have :rP...::,
TNKLEe