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Nature Workshop– a Dream that Brews from the Mountains Building a Bond between the Younger Generation and Native Tribes (TAIPEI QUARTERLY 2017 WINTER Vol.10)

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Post date:2017-12-18

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Nature Workshop–

a Dream that Brews from the Mountains

Building a Bond between the Younger Generation and Native Tribes

 

ArticleZhong Wenping

PhotosYang Zhiren

 

Betel nuts have a long connection with Taiwan’s aboriginal culture. In native society, the betel nut’s popularity transcends tribe, identity, class, gender, and age. It is an offering: the Sakizaya tribe uses it to bring on wind and to summon spirits. It is a gift: the traditional Amis costume features a betel nut pouch design, from which women can keep betel nuts for the purpose of enticing men they’re interested in. Indigenous people often offer guests betel nuts and piper betles to show friendship and respect. Founded last year, Nature Workshop (拿鞘) has woven aboriginal culture into their designs and given betel nuts a brand new cultural significance. They have taken masses of sheaths from fallen betel trees and used them to create articles for modern daily use. “We like to see what the sheaths of fallen leaves can be turned into,” says Nature’s founder, Liu Tawei (劉大衛).
 

TAIPEI WINTER 2017 Vol.10 Nature Workshop–  a Dream that Brews from the Mountains Building a Bond between the Younger Generation and Native Tribes

Nature uses the leaf sheaths from betel nut trees to make well-designed articles for daily use. (Photo: Yang Zhiren)

Natural Materials Display a Trendy Sense with an Aboriginal Twist!

 

The sheath is the part of the leaf that wraps around the trunk or the stem of the plant. It used to be considered waste, and usually ended up discarded or burnt, which was indeed a pity. Liu points out that the biggest difference between the betel nut leaf sheath and plastic or metal is simply that it is a natural product. Depending on growth time, plant location, weather and thickness of leaf, designed products have a variety of appearances. The Nature Workshop team experimented with different levels of water temperature for soaking, different roasting times and temperatures, shrinkage rate control, bending angle, and the amount of pounding, to slowly determine the correct method of obtaining the ideal sheath shape. Thus, betel nut sheaths got a second chance at becoming an excellent natural material for creative design. Moreover, the material is non-toxic, anti-bug, water-resistant, moisture absorbing, and uses zero chemicals in its manufacture.

 

Every job is the result of multiple experiments and serious development. For example, the “Natural Painting” uses leaves of different shades and intertwining grains, and required several handcrafting processes. The “Natural Notebook” is made using large, flat sheathes free of breaks or flaws, united into book form using a metal coil. The “Natural Flip Flop” features totems designed by Taitung’s up-and-coming Amis designer, Gao Caishuang (高彩霜). These are manufactured by betel nut leaf slipper producer, Betel Life, and show off the multi-tribe provenance and the integration of different brands in a truly gung ho way.

 

Ancestral methods often inspire new design ideas. For example, Ami traditional folding skills, used in the construction of stone hot pots, have been incorporated into the design of the warm and translucent “Natural Light” and “Natural Box.” Such products offer a new quality that is truly refreshing, trendy, and humanistic.

 

Taiwan’s many indigenous tribes have been through much conflict, but also a period of learning to accept each group’s particular ways. Finally, they have now reached a new era of understanding, tolerance and appreciation of each other. This spirit can be seen in the fields of cultural and creative design, where the depth and complexity of the different tribes and their handicrafts may be experienced. Among all Taiwanese, there can be no doubt that the indigenous people know best how to use materials from nature. The new generation of creators, like Nature Workshop, are forging a fresh style, while respecting the land and honoring sacred aboriginal spirits. Through these products, a bond has been built between the younger generation and tribal culture.


Theater Market

(Sales center for Nature’s products)

戲台市集(拿鞘作品展售處)

21-1, Zhongshan S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist.

2397-1920#30

09:0023:00


TAIPEI WINTER 2017 Vol.10 Nature Workshop–  a Dream that Brews from the Mountains Building a Bond between the Younger Generation and Native Tribes

Natural flip flops adorned with delicate Amis totems often catch admiring looks! (Photo: Yang Zhiren)

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