Smart works symposium: conference proceedings

The Smart works Symposium held on March 30, 31 and April 1, 2007, expanded on the themes of the Smart works exhibition and publication which together explore the work of around 40 enterprising designers and makers from Australia and New Zealand. Central to what these people do is their interest in the values of making objects by hand, and their enjoyment of the materials and processes they use. They like making one-off works, but also want to put their ideas into production. Speakers from the UK, Italy, Sweden, Australia and New Zealand talked about their views on global and local design and manufacture in relation to the handmade, while some of the participants in the Smart works exhibition told their personal stories. Many others exhibiting in Smart works were around to talk to. Added to the presence of so many Smart works exhibitors, the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the attendees ? some from very distant geographic locations ? contributed to a highly exciting and useful event. Video documentation of the talks from the symposium are now available