The Metamorphosis of the Craftsman (1958)

At Redefining Craft, we dig into the evolving and hybrid intersections of art, craft, and design, offering a unique perspective. Today, we explore the ideas presented in Herwin Schaefer’s seminal article, "The Metamorphosis of the Craftsman", circa 1958, because we think it might spark an interesting conversation.

Schaefer's astute analysis of the epoch provides a historical perspective on the transformation of craftsmanship, aligning with the podcast's mission to examine the hybrid spaces and moments where disciplines evolve.

Main Theme

Schaefer’s core argument is that the Industrial Revolution radically altered the essence of craftsmanship, making the pursuit of pre-industrial craft ideals not only impractical but also counterproductive to the development of a contemporary aesthetic. He asserts that true craftsmanship now lies within the realm of industrial design and production rather than in the creation of handcrafted luxury items.

Key Ideas & Facts

The End of an Era

Schaefer highlighted the pivotal moment around 1750 when technological advancements began to overshadow handcraft methods, leading to the decline of traditional guilds and the erosion of specialized skills. This shift is crucial for understanding how the boundaries between art, craft, and design began to blur as industrial techniques became integral to the creative process.

"From about 1750 on we have had a revolution in technics which has displaced the man using hand craft methods."

Nostalgia vs. Reality

Schaefer critiques the Romantic ideal of reviving “craft”, pointing out that it ignores the economic and social realities of industrialization. This yearning for the past is seen as an obstacle to embracing a modern aesthetic that acknowledges the contributions of industrial design.

"Even after reaping the benefits of technology for a hundred years...there is still nostalgia for the pre-industrial age and a hankering for the hand crafts."

The Dilemma of the Modern "Craftsman"

The decline of the guild system left contemporary craftsmen without systematic training or clear purpose. Schaefer argues that this lack of structure has produced decorative but largely superfluous items, contrasting with the practical focus of traditional craftsmanship.

"The highly and systematically trained craftsman of the hand craft age produced for the real needs of everyday life, while the ill equipped self-styled 'professional' amateur of today produces useless objects of decoration."

True Craftsmanship in the Industrial Age

Schaefer redefines true craftsmanship as residing within industrial design and production. He champions the roles of artists, designers, engineers, and skilled technicians as the new craftsmen, who shape the aesthetics of the modern world through industrial means.

"If the craftsman has creative imagination, the only way he can apply it and make a contribution to society today is by designing for and working in industry."

The Importance of Embracing the Machine

Schaefer calls for a recognition of the machine as the defining tool of the modern era, emphasizing the creative potential inherent in industrial processes. This perspective aligns with the podcast’s exploration of how digital technologies and contemporary art practices intersect with traditional craft.

"Let us put things and people in their proper places and acknowledge our world as it is...let us meanwhile recognize the compelling reality of our industrial world and its character as the phoenix-like successor to the vanished world of the old hand craftsman."

Conclusion

In the context of Redefining Craft, Schaefer’s challenge to the traditional definition of "craftsman" can be revisited in a contemporary context.

As this podcast provides a platform to discuss how the creative process, informed by diverse human values, continues to evolve in response to technological advancements, Schaefer’s insights encourage a reevaluation of craft, advocating for an aesthetic that embraces the realities of mass production and the transformative potential of industrial design.

This dialogue is crucial for understanding the ongoing metamorphosis of the craftsman in today’s interconnected world of art, craft, and design— even if we feel today, in hindsight, that Schaefer is full of it.

Study Guide The Metamorphosis Of The Craftsman

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The attached is a study guide to approach the article, In his 1958 article, "The Metamorphosis of the Craftsman," Herwin Schaefer examines the changing role of the craftsman in a rapidly industrializing world. He argues that the traditional craftsman, trained in a guild system and producing essential objects for daily life, has been replaced by the "artist-craftsman," who often creates luxury items with little practical purpose. Schaefer contends that the true craftsman of the modern era is not the individual artist, but rather the skilled technician working within industry, who produces objects that meet real needs and contribute to the aesthetic environment. He criticizes the tendency to romanticize the past and suggests that the craftsman of today should embrace the possibilities of industrial technology rather than seek to revive outdated practices.

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The Metamorphosis Of The Craftsman

690KB ∙ PDF file

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Schaefer, H. (1958). The metamorphosis of the craftsman. College Art Journal, 17(3), 266-276. Herwin Schaefer's essay "The Metamorphosis of the Craftsman" explores the changing role of the craftsman in an increasingly industrialized world. Schaefer argues that industrial production has largely replaced traditional handcraft methods, leaving the modern craftsman with a diminished role.

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