Craft fair and market, San Telmo, Buenos Aires. [ contact with industry]

While visiting Argentina, i was introduced to place known for its love of crafts and all art forms. The place was alive, especially on a sunday when a market would be held and all the local crafters and designers would come together to show off their designs and skills. Music is played loudly, Tango is danced passionately and people shop seriously. It was difficult to take photographs unless permission was granted as the people are very protective of their crafts and designs. Surrounding the market are many boutiques offering vintage treasures and new innovative designs for interiors and fashion. I approached one of their more famous stores called 'Lagos' and asked them a few questions about their designs and their approach to  design and trading. It was explained that the crafts are accumulated through years of skills and trades passed down. Design is big business at the moment and people want to buy something a little different, something produced with thought and responsibility. With this in mind most products are made locally by local crafts people and the materials are sourced or recycled close to San Telmo. It was noted that the colours used in the designs is the traditional colour palette that would be easily recognised as Buenos Aires and areas that make up this area close to the port. Bold primary colours and geometric shapes mixed with delicate embroidery and floral repeats were apparent in many designs including jewelry and ceramics. What i loved about the Lagos boutique was their crazy window displays and carefully chosen stock. They are unafraid of stocking melted plastic sculptures, state of the art gadgets for the kitchen and low-fi and hi-fi, up-cycled designs for all areas of the home. I asked them their opinion on some of my loose ink and fabric mixed bird collages i had pictures of. They were very polite and said the would make cute prints for wall hangings and birthday cards. They also advised me to look around craft influences from my own heritage [Irish] and to see if they could be incorporated into my own work. I think i will give it ago and here are some of my shots of San Telmo.