KFU’s projects showcased to Rais of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov at the Center for Unique Crafts
The Head of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, visited the renovated Center for Unique Crafts (TSUM) on March 2nd. He the production facilities and workshops specializing in jewelry, woodworking, down weaving, patterned weaving, artistic leatherworking, musical instrument making, and ethnic clothing.
The Institute of Design and Spatial Arts’ project, Digital Engineering: Synthesis of Computational Design, Manufacturing, and Cultural Code, occupied a separate space in the renovated center, clearly demonstrating the symbiosis of centuries-old traditions and cutting-edge technologies. The Institute was presented by its Director, Karina Nabiullina.
“The exhibition features projects based on Tatar culture and identity, presented in various forms: a collection of costumes within the context of fashion design, animated and short motion design works, typographic works and original illustrated books, a fully developed furniture collection, board games, as well as projects from student startups, both already implemented and currently under implementation,” said Milyausha Tukmakova, Deputy Director for Research at the IDSA.
Among the exhibits is student Daria Platonova’s work, Creating a Board Game for Developing Spatial Thinking Using the City of Kazan as an Example. The project offers an original interpretation of the city’s architectural landmarks through universal modules and develops spatial thinking while simultaneously introducing the region’s culture.
Student Myadina Ulbekova’s project, Advent Calendar with a Tatar Tea Collection, combines the popular holiday calendar format with the traditions of Tatarstan’s tea culture, introducing viewers to regional tastes and symbols.
The institute was proud to present the achievements of KFU graduate Darika Arykulova, who developed a brand of drinks flavored with local pastries, Tatar Drink. The project received grant support from the Student Startup competition and has entered the industrial production stage. The project was supervised by Adelya Saifutdinova, Associate Professor of the Department of Structural Design at the Institute of Design and Public Administration, and Maria Lushpaeva, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Architecture and Media Arts at the Institute of Design and Public Administration.
The motion design section featured short animated films, including a film by graduate Irina Makarova based on Tatar folklore. The project was supervised by Aidar Nurullin, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Architecture and Media Arts.
The fashion design section featured a clothing collection by student Albina Aminova and scarves by student Kamilla Kadyrova, who also implemented projects as part of a student startup under the guidance of Venera Yumagulova, Deputy Director for Educational Activities at the IDPA.
A collection of ethnic furniture by master’s student Elvira Mingalimova, winner of the Student Startup competition, was also on display. It was designed with Tatarstan’s traditions and ornaments in mind and is made from eco-friendly materials. The furniture was supervised by Stepan Novikov, Chair of the Department of Architecture and Media Arts.
Rais also toured the equipped spaces for master classes, exhibition spaces, food service outlets, and other functional areas. The project aims to revive, preserve, and develop traditional folk arts, crafts, and decorative and applied arts of the peoples of Tatarstan.