My Masters project aims to disseminate and archive the knowledge about the Thundu Kunaa, a traditional craft native to the Maldives. It celebrates not only the skill of the craftswomen but the laborious process of making the reed mats as well.
My research dwelled into both the visual elements of the mat and the process itself. Half of my research was spent exploring the laborious process that leads up to weaving the mats. During this research, I attempted to make my own dyes and inks, and tried weaving patterns on paper myself. By going through these tasks, I came to appreciate the process of weaving the mats and realized that this was what made the mats unique.
Following 6 months of research and iterations, the final outcome is an interactive toolkit that holds the record of the process that goes into weaving Thundu Kunaa. The toolkit contains 3 tools - The Mat, The Viewfinder & The Reading Tool.
As a user, you take the place of a researcher, who uses these three tools to gather information and piece together the art of this craft.
Screen printed with 4 different layers, the mat is riddled with hidden numbers that are scattered between the detailed illustrations. Users are encouraged to use the viewfinder to locate these numbers, and decipher the illustrations using the reading tool.
Screen printed with 4 different layers, the mat is riddled with hidden numbers that are scattered between the detailed illustrations. Users are encouraged to use the viewfinder to locate these numbers, and decipher the illustrations using the reading tool.
The end result is an immersive experience that guides you through the story of the process in which Maldivian women get ready to weave the Thundu Kunaa.
From mixing my own colors in screen printing to working with a machine, the process of creating this final outcome has echoed the tasks involved in creating the Thundu Kunaa.
Eg: The craftswomen make their own dyes using natural ingredients and work with a wooden loom to weave the mat.
Presented within the confines of an archival box, "The Tale of Thundu Kunaa - A hands-on archive of a Maldivian craft” is designed to be placed within the spheres of exhibitions and museums.
To highlight the fading nature of the craft, the box features a blind embossed lid that mimics the texture of Thundu Kunaa. Users are encouraged to touch and feel the lid to experience what the mats feel like.
The project was showcased as part of the Edinburgh College of Art Graduate Showcase in August 2023. For those who are interested, my research blog is available for public viewing.
You can also visit the Graduate Showcase website for more info.
Special thanks goes to Ainthu from MACCS who provided valuable insight during my research phase, into the material culture and visual designs of the Thundu Kunaa. MACCS is a local corporation that is working with local stakeholders and beyond in a bid to revive and promote local artisanal handicrafts & crafting communities. Their work has been extremely important in reviving interest and value of the Thundu Kunaa. Learn more about their efforts here.
