At the Borders of Iron

At the Borders of Iron (IronNotes) is a series of events and a network that gather together professionals, makers, students and broader audiences around the common theme of metal. With a strong background in metalworks and blacksmithing this network brings together artists, creators, designers, producers and educators from five different countries with different kinds of events to broaden the view of the use of metal in the society today Estonia, Finland, Italy, Norway, Sweden.

This consortium seeks to find ways to strengthen the awareness of blacksmithing tradition, its possibilities to enhance regionality and co-operation between several countries. With different types of events the aim is to open the role of metal also to broader audiences with themes that link people with this special material culture.

There are six partners in this consortium: four different universities, one blacksmithing biennial and one blacksmith company. In the project, every partner has their own network within the arts and crafts and metal fields. During the project years, every partner will be either hosting or taking part in different types of events around the project theme, all together six different types of events.

At the Borders of Iron is a collaboration with the common denominator metal. In the name “At the borders of Iron” the word “iron” stands for the long heritage and cultural significance throughout history the material iron has had. All collaborating parties in this project, resonate around the material metal in terms of education, professional fields, institutions, and general audiences. New needs in a rapidly changing society, also challenges old craft trades, such as blacksmithing, to reflect, adapt and re-invent their roles in society. In this project this process of development and exposure can be initiated and stimulated.

While in the past this conversation has been at national levels, this project joins Europe as a place. It gives the opportunity to learn from each other. All participating parties have been developing knowledge in the field of material, craftmanship and technology, but have not earlier cooperated to share their knowledge. This is the opportunity to join resources and knowledge for extending the skills and expertise to professionals and society and to reach out from northern countries to southern Italy.

The field of memory is an ongoing dialog in society in many different areas. How do we remember, is a reflection of the society and culture and therefore a dynamic factor. New thinking and new approaches appear. Therefore, this project and the network is the beginning of a long cooperation between the partners. This cooperation will extend outside this project consortium during and after this IronNotes project.
Project period
-
Project state
On-going
Project area
International
Project funding
Creative Europe Culture
LAB role
Lead partner
Unit
Institute of Design and Fine Arts
Project focus area
Intangible value creation
Objectives
This project aims to stimulate, through research, workshops, symposiums and exhibitions, support for the

art of blacksmithing and the professionals in this field in re-establishing historical, regional and cultural

connections on the European level. The project aims to indicate the role of metal objects in today's society

and to find out the values related to public entities and places by engaging and mediating with citizens in

interpreting this type of cultural heritage today. The project promotes international co-production and creativity of new ways to enhance the visibility and role of blacksmithing in the modern era.

IronNotes addresses the audience by providing local audiences a chance to increase their knowledge of

blacksmithing culture. This will be realized by opportunities to see these techniques in action at public

events organized in different countries and locations.

Exhibitions throughout the project period will serve the cultural accessibility. Integration of society in codesign

and creation can serve as a healing process in the act of mourning. Questions related to the future use of iron and its possibilities to be utilized in an environmentally friendly way are attached to the project actions. For example, is it possible to find carbon-free heating, handling and melting metal methods? Questions like these can be answered by bringing experts from different fields of the metal industry as part of the event programmes.
Outcomes
The project will shed light on the traditional craft and bring forth new ways and methods to benefit society

today. It will increase the opportunity for blacksmithing professionals to establish and strengthen their role

in 21st-century Europe with contemporary trends such as sustainability and digitalization in mind.

The project adopts a society-wide approach. Its target groups include academia, with universities and their

staff with the competence and interest towards metals as well as researchers in the relevant fields such as

cultural studies, students of all ages and young people potentially interested in this culture, blacksmithing

professionals as well as communities, cities and societies in general.

Short-term effects: - new approaches to cultural heritage - more people have had access to cultural

heritage during the events.

Medium-term effects: - increased knowledge of matters relating to metalworking and metal objects.

Long-term effects: - re-establishment of historical, regional and cultural connections of blacksmithing -

the art of blacksmithing has become an enhancer and creator of communal memories.
Sustainable Development Goals
Project managers

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