Towards a new theory of craftsmanship and handicraft heritage – between materiality and immateriality in the process of creation

The article is an attempt to introduce the phenomenon of craftsmanship and handicraft in the context of patrimonialization processes, focusing on the titular tension between materiality and immateriality in the process of creation. Previously included in the category of material culture, today – regardless of whether they are considered generally or as a specific cultural tradition of a given community – they are considered in the international discourse as one of the most expressive and popular domains of intangible cultural heritage. The starting point for considerations is, among others, the heterodox theory of heritage and the interdisciplinary critical heritage studies developed on its basis, assuming that heritage as a process is a discursive practice focused on the past, however implemented in the present and largely with a view to the future by – importantly – various groups of depositaries and users, not just by experts. The analysis of craftsmanship and handicrafts from the praxeological perspective (know-how to do in action) fits into the understanding of heritage more in terms of a verb rather than a noun. Thus, in this case, the processes of patrimonization are based not so much on declarative attitudes focused only on values, but on active experience and practical skills that give the opportunity to discover the culture-creating pro-development potential in the craft and handicraft heritage.