The inescapable fragmentation of the industrial world leaves communal spaces of co-existence sparse and often inaccessible. As we lament this loss and move from the physical to digital world in search of spaces that foster community and belonging, some sections of society have generationally built systems that provide them the privilege of communal spaces that are deeply embodied in their ways of living.

Traditional craft making has always been a communal affair, with the entire family, if not the community contributing towards the creation of a (not ‘product’) piece. The pit looms in the verandah, the embroidery womenfolk sit in the community halls, or backyards and create, the outdoor working setup of bamboo, metal or clay work; all provide models of placing work not within but outside little, isolated boxes. In opening up the places of work and spatially situating them beyond confined quarters, the craft-making communities provide a drastically different model of creating a communal work space, one that is dynamic.

In setting up the loom, the kiln, the potter’s wheel or the other tools required for creation in open, accessible spaces, craft communities create avenues of building communication and communal interactions, thus transforming completely what we might imagine to be a function of a space of work. It is both a choice and a need as they entertain visitors and buyers, train youngsters and create all in a single space. Craft thrives on communal interaction, it requires that. From the motifs that are drawn of the communal life, and shared mythologies, narratives and imaginations, to the shared ritualized usage of the craft creation, it is the string that ties the bonds of a  community together.

To tighten these, it also creates these physical spaces of interaction where work, leisure, commerce and education all come together. A truly human and dynamic space of constant co-creation. Can this kind of space exist in the capitalistically divided, neatly labeled, boxed and categorized society where either work and personal life are meant to be entirely,  physically separate; or the post-covid merging of work and home but in isolated, urban homes rather than collective,  communal, co-creational spaces.

While the nature of work itself has drastically changed, the fable, the fascination for such a space still remains as more and more co-working spaces with common areas, travel and work cafes in touristy places open. The need for a physical  community, a physical space shared by like-minded people coming together to create a sense of warmth and belonging is still as present as other primal instincts and does not seem to have completely lost in the digitalization of our generation.

We can look at the craft communities and their systems, philosophies and fundamentally different understandings of work and workspace, community and familial life to provide us an example of life a little beyond the capitalistic structure that we, on most days, are unable to even imagine beyond. In observing them closely, we might just find, if not a perfectly fitting parallel system, but an inkling of the possibilities that might exist if only we try and conceive beyond our physically and mentally imposed boundaries and structures.