Revitalisation of textile production of Spartium
Title: juncem L. – Development of autochthon Croatian
product: From weed to fabric
Main applicant: Zorana Kovačević, PhD student, assistant, University
of Zagreb Faculty of Textile Technology
Project funding: University of Zagreb Development Fund
Project Prof. Sandra Bischof, Ph. D., University of
Coordinator: Zagreb Faculty of Textile Technology
Educational workshop at the Faculty of Textile Technology
Very often we are faced with the question “What is actually dissemination workshop?” During the implementation of projects, whether European or national, it is always important to share the results of the project with the interest groups and the general public in overall. Therefore, the dissemination is generally described as a series of activities that make the output project values visible to the main financiers of the project (European Commission, University of Zagreb, etc.), project partners, interest groups, target groups and people who are not directly involved in the project.
One of the goals of the project entitled ” Revitalization of textile production of Spartium juncem L. – Development of autochthon Croatian product: From weed to fabric ” is linking the scientific and artistic research because at the University of Zagreb it is considered that this link is not sufficiently emphasized. For this reason, we can say that deficiency of artistic research staff at the University of Zagreb is observed. Faculty of Textile Technology educates students in science and art sector and prides itself on students who show interest in the unification of the above areas. Accordingly, the aim was to attract talented students to also contribute to this project and gain knowledge that will later on give them advantage to acquire a job they would like to do.
The main goal of this project is the development of autochthon product (souvenir) from the Spartium. Considering the increasing internationalization of the University of Zagreb, the idea of the book came up that would be an excellent souvenir which could be presented to international partners by the employees of the University. The book entitled: “From weed to fabric” will be printed in English. All of the scientific and artistic knowledge about Spartium collected during this project will be summarized in it. The book deals with the importance and use of Spartium through history to the present day. Special attention was paid to the overall usability of plant: from seed, flowers, fibers, to the waste material that remains after the separation of fibers. The book contains a large number of original photographs made by authors from partner institutions from Šibenik and Split that will present not only the beauty of Spartium but also the beauty of Mediterranean region.
One of the activities during production of autochthon souvenir from Sparium junceum L. was the traditional paper production. During the literature examination we found out that Spartium is plant suitable for making paper. Using the traditional method of getting cellulose pulp from the Spartium, the paper with satisfactory visual properties was made. With a desire to show this kind of Spartium utilization, we came up with an idea to insert Spartium paper size 8×8 cm into the book, visible to the reader. As the synergy of artistic and scientific research was leitmotiv of this project, a dissemination workshop was organized at the Faculty of Textile Technology within course Creativity in Textiles. After introducing students to the project funded by the University of Zagreb Development Fund, the students were given a task to refine a small paper with a little artwork inspired by photographs with Spartium motifs and a story they have heard at the introductory lecture. The best students’ works will be published in book “From weed to fabric”.
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