by Aak Lengkeek
What does it mean to be a modern traditionalist?
We would define traditions as the specific manners that people who are regionally, ethnically, professionally or organizationally connected, use consistently to meet their needs or cope with demands in their environment. Traditions develop in the ways people grow and prepare their food, dress, socialize, dance, build their houses, develop skills etc. etc.
Traditions often have a local or temporal flavor because they are developed at a certain time or under certain local conditions, like the availability of specific resources, knowledge and technology. Typical of traditions is that they are shared by a number of people who are connected through blood ties, boundaries, the area they live in, the values and ideologies they endorse. We speak of family traditions, local traditions, national traditions. Traditions are the habits of a group or collective and as such express and reflect common characteristics, traits, perceptions,and skills and often have a normative side:”this is how it should be done”.
They give the people who share them a sense of control, security, familiarity, belongingness and even a sense of identity. People recognize themselves and set themselves apart from others by their traditions.This is probably the reason why people tend to hang on to traditions when conditions (times, boundaries, resources, values, technology) change. Even as the conditions that gave rise to certain traditions cease to exist, traditions often continue and start to lead a life of their own: we call them “timeless”, or “classic” or identify them as a particular style: the French Cuisine; a Louis XV piece of furniture; a “Victorian” house; “la methode campenoise” for making sparkling wine, and with exposure they often acquire international or mondial appreciation or recognition. Traditions tend to elicit a feel of familiarity and even nostalgia.
The concept of “quality” is closely related to the concept of tradition, because traditions often have been handed down the generations, have been tried and been proven to work and be effective. Tradional products tend to have durabilty; have been designed and manufactured in times where people took the time for refinement and attention to detail.
In the case of architecture and interiors we consider any dwelling that represents a certain time, region, method or distinct style a traditional home.
A good example of how traditions can keep enriching our lives without returning to the times in which they were developed, is the tradition-based design of Aldo Bernardi’s Italian lighting: the designs are based on local resources (metal and white ceramic) and cottage industries as well as on the fuel (gas) used for lighting in a past era in Northern Italy. This gives the fixtures a distinct “look” that elicits associations with everything connected with traditions: familiarity, durability, quality, attention to detail . Within that general “look” or “feel”, created by materials and components used in gas fueled lamps or in the first electrial lamps, the manufacturer has made room for technological innovations and innovations in design that make his collections both “timeless” and versatile. While clearly distinct, they tend to adapt to the environment in which they are used.
For your own judgment: please visit our website @www.carolollier.com
Aldo Bernardi Italian Lighting - USA 