Surviving in a Dyeing Industry
Using a paintbrush with homemade glue as his medium, Han Rucca paints clouds on a white canvas, deep blue mountains already dyed on the bottom.
Watching his mother practice the traditional craft mancrame, similar to knitting, Rucca grew a deep love for the deep blue the indigo dye she used on her mancrame.
More than 20 years later, Rucca is growing, fermenting, dyeing his own crafts with the indigo plant, a plant that holds a deep tie to Korean and Asian history.
“There are many different plants in nature, but the indigo plant is the only one to make the blue color,” Rucca said. “From the silk road, it [indigo] has moved from India to China, China to Korea, and Korea to Japan. This indigo dyeing color can be preserved for a thousand years.”
In his little basement shop, Sky Waters in downtown Seoul, just outside Insa-dong, Rucca depends on government restoration jobs to stay afloat as he creates his art for the purpose of preserving the ancient craft, not for profit.
“I do not work for the sale, instead, I try to train my students,” said Rucca, some of which have moved on and practice the craft on their own.
The Korean Government provides some support to ‘Important Intangible Cultural Properties,’ but little support is given if an artist is registered, and Rucca is on of the unregistered artists who receive no governmental help.
Hand dyeing was added to the list of ‘Important Intangible Cultural Properties in 1964.
With one of the most technologically advanced cities just above his shop, Rucca feels no pressure from an evolving society, “Our society is getting more digital and more scientific. Our culture is changing. But, some people want to go back to the traditional ways.”
A digital society brings faster machines and technology that can replace craftsmans with machines that produce pieces for a fraction of the time and cost. Rucca stresses the skill the experienced craftsman brings and the time it takes to produce.
“We [the craftsman] have practiced our craft for a very long time,” Rucca said. “Never the less, if we are proficient in this, it takes a few months to a year.”
Rucca displays his pieces in exhibits across Korea and on occasion, submits entries to national exhibits in the hopes of being accepted and receive money.
Extremely sensitive to weather conditions, the indigo dye produces a different hue that continues to draw Rucca to his craft to this day.
“Whenever I get a different color. I can’t stop. I feel joy. Indigo is very sensitive. So it is more attractive… So I haven’t thought that handcraft is hard to work. I am just sad to be working downtown.”