Thundu Kunaa is an ancient form of craft traditional to the Maldives. Woven using locally harvested and dried reeds of swamp grass, the mats are visually distinctive in color and pattern, with their yellow, white, and black colors paired with symmetrical patterns and symbols. Historically, they were used in various functional and decorative ways which created a lot of demand for their production. However, with industrialization and changing times, fewer people practice this craft, making it a craft that is in danger of fading away.
This project aims to disseminate and archive the knowledge about the Thundu Kunaa, celebrating not only the skill of the craftswomen but also the laborious process through which they make the reed mats.
Presented within the confines of an archival box, the project is designed to be placed within the spheres of exhibitions and museums. The reader or user takes the place of a researcher, who uses the three tools placed within the box to gather information and piece together the art of this craft.
