IKEA's VIKTIGT collection: on representations of craftsmanship and handmaking
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2017-08-24
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en
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In 2016, home furnishing giant IKEA launched a craft collection in collaboration with Swedish designer Ingegerd Råman. The VIKTIGT collection is described by Råman as a project of collaboration between craftsmen and designer, which ultimately resulted in objects that contain energy and love. Handcrafted objects are a popular form of material culture these days. This research asks the question in which ways IKEA represents the notions ‘craftsmanship’ and ‘handmade’ with the VIKTIGT collection.
The research employs a cultural biography of an object, as well as an analysis of two commercials to answer the question stated above. The conclusion of the research is that the love and energy Råman finds in the collection does not resonate with the portrayal of craftsmanship and handmaking by IKEA. Material culture derives meaning from the human interactions with it. VIKTIGT’s story will never be known to its full extent by the consumer because of the limited portrayal of the collection.
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