Design Process of Traditional Çomakdağ Cloth Dolls Cover Image

Geleneksel Çomakdağ Bez Bebeklerinin Tasarım Süreci
Design Process of Traditional Çomakdağ Cloth Dolls

Author(s): Nalan Okan Akın
Subject(s): Customs / Folklore, Visual Arts, Cultural Anthropology / Ethnology
Published by: Uluslararası Kıbrıs Üniversitesi
Keywords: Tradition; culture; rag doll; design; aesthetic;

Summary/Abstract: Rag dolls have been crafted as figurative toys since ancient times, originally intended as playthings for girls. However, with the passage of time, there has been a shift, and children began engaging with ready-made dolls. In the contemporary era, rag dolls are predominantly manufactured for the tourism sector. They are crafted and marketed as decorative items, transitioning away from their original role as toys. These particular rag dolls are often labeled as “traditional” or “folkloric” dolls, designed to mirror the traditional attire of their respective regions. Many are created by dressing pre-made plastic dolls in locally inspired clothing. Yet, Cappadocia and Çomakdağ dolls stand out as examples where the core structure of the doll is authentically crafted in a traditional manner. Among these, Çomakdağ dolls stand out for being exclusively fashioned from textile products, showcasing a distinct rag doll characteristic. In terms of construction technique, they are categorized as “multi-part” rag dolls crafted solely from textile materials. The “Çomakdağ Cloth Dolls,” embodying a synthesis of Çomakdağ cultural and aesthetic values, should be recognized in the literature as a form of “design.” The researcher has illuminated the design processes through drawings and photographs. This study draws attention to the aesthetic and cultural significance of traditional Çomakdağ rag dolls from a design perspective. Simultaneously, recommendations are put forth for their utilization as products that can contribute to cultural, aesthetic, and design awareness in educational environments.

  • Issue Year: 30/2024
  • Issue No: 117
  • Page Range: 85-100
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Turkish
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