It is of great importance to raise awareness as well as the importance and effort given by designers and artists to sustainability. With this awareness, handmade rag dolls reflecting upcycling/recycling details by using “OCS” certified (Textile Processed According to the Organic Content Standard) fabrics, which are divided into production and surplus category by Akar Tekstil (external stakeholder) company and educational toys were produced. The toys produced were shared with the children hospitalized in the oncology unit of our university children’s hospital.
Sustainability has become one of the most important issues in many fields and societies for a more livable world. It emerges as one of the goals of creating a more ethical, greener and progressive society and world in every aspect. The increase in population in the world, along with the increase in production and consumption, brings many environmental problems and leads to the depletion of natural resources over time. In addition to issues such as environmental pollution and depletion of natural resources, designers and artists have developed and continue to develop many strategies.
Nowadays, issues such as recycling of products, upstream recycling, reusable materials, reusable products, minimizing waste and removing waste from landfills have gained importance. Excessive use of raw materials and natural resources, heavy and difficult working conditions, environmentally harmful wastes that occur during the production phase, rapidly depleted and short-lived textile products and wastes have brought many problems.
At this point, it is very important that designers and artists strive to prevent all these existing problems, minimize the use of resources, create awareness and focus, and strive for sustainability in order to raise awareness in the society.
With this awareness, the academicians of the Faculty of Fine Arts carry out the project called “Sustainable Textile Product Rag Dolls and Educational Toy Designs with Social Responsibility Awareness” supported by the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Dokuz Eylül University. In this project, handmade cloth toys were designed and produced by recycling and upcycling, taking into account the design-production criteria and processes, with textile raw materials and accessories, which are production and usage surplus.
The handmade cloth toys are not only educational and entertaining, but also designed and produced in accordance with safe and health conditions. In the first step, the aim of the project was to reach the children hospitalized in the DEU Children’s Hospital Oncology ward, and then the project had been expanded to reach the children of economically distressed families who are thought to be disadvantaged. DEU Oncology Institute is an Internal Stakeholder and Akar Tekstil is an External Stakeholder in the project.
The project contributes to sustainability, which is the most valuable concept of our time, by evolving the “recycling” process, which is one of the current production approaches, into “upcycling”. In addition, social approach and unity, awareness raising, redesign, healing power of art, sensitization and solidarity are among the added values of the project.
SUSTAINABLE HANDMADE CLOTH TOYS AND DOKUZ EYLÜL UNIVERSITY RECTOR PROF. DR. NÜKHET HOTAR'S VISIT TO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL ONCOLOGY SERVICE
In the project, handmade cloth toys were produced by using excess production and usage, toxic substances, anti-allergic and antibacterial “OCS” certified (Textile Processed According to the Organic Content Standard) fabrics provided by Akar Tekstil. It was brought together with children who were treated in Dokuz Eylül University Children’s Hospital Oncology Service on April 27, 2022.
Within the scope of the project, it was seen that educational rag dolls, which were brought together with children who continue to be treated in DEU Children’s Hospital Oncology Service, supported the purpose of the project.
A GIFT TO ALL CHILDREN FROM DOKUZ EYLÜL
Continuing its academic and scientific activities with the understanding of serving the society, Dokuz Eylul University (DEU) continues to touch human life with its social responsibility projects.
The ‘Sustainable Textile Product Rag Dolls and Educational Toy Designs with Social Responsibility Awareness’ Project, implemented with the support of the Faculty of Fine Arts, DEU Oncology Institute and Akar Tekstil, was introduced with an exhibition.
With the Sustainable Stories Exhibition with Toys opened in the foyer area of Dokuz Eylül University’s cultural heritage Rectorate Building, cloth toys produced by academicians who are experts in their fields and photographs of these handmade toys were exhibited between 20.06.2022 and 04.07.2022.
AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE DISASTER, VOLUNTEER STUDENTS AND "CONTAINER TOY ATELIER"
After the earthquake disaster that occurred on February 6, 2023, centered in Kahramanmaraş, affecting 10 provinces and stifling Turkey, an aid and support mobilization for the region was initiated. As Dokuz Eylül University (DEU), within the scope of artistic activities that will provide support and morale for the children in the region, with the support of the faculty members of the Faculty of Fine Arts and volunteer students, a “Toy Atelier” was established in Adıyaman.
Within the scope of DEU’s Scientific Research Projects (BAP), children had the opportunity to make toys designed from antibacterial fabrics on their own at the Container Toy Atelier, which was supported by the University’s own resources and established in Tentcity (Çadırkent) 7 region in Adıyaman.
COLORING BOOK
While having fun under the supervision of academics from DEU, the children, who also reinforced their learning, showed their artistic talents with the coloring book consisting of drawings of toys designed for them.
Other Projects
Project 01
Transformation of Waste Materials into Sculpture as an Example of Sustainability
Project 02
Open Air Art Works in Public Space
Project 03
In the case of Dokuz Eylül University Public Space Mural and Sculpture Applications
Project 04
Sustainable Textile Product Rag Dolls and Educational Toy Designs with Social Responsibility Awareness