London Design Biennale

In June 2023, I had the privilege of representing India at the London Design Biennale alongside the teams from Studio Archohm and The Design Village. Our collaborative effort resulted in the creation of the Indian Pavilion at Somerset House, London, titled "Chowk & Charpai: An Urban Living Room." This multi-sensory installation was a captivating homage to the vibrant essence of a modern Indian city chowk, where streets converge to form bustling marketplaces.
The pavilion was designed as a large urban sculpture resembling a traditional Charpai, a woven daybed ubiquitous in India. The intricate weaves of the Charpai evoked the dynamic atmosphere of a chowk, where chance encounters occur amidst a captivating play of light and shadow. The exterior walls were adorned with terracotta cups crafted from Indian clay, providing a tactile experience that allowed visitors to interact physically with Indian culture.
The pavilion offered a rich sensory journey, incorporating elements of touch, sound, sight, smell, and taste to represent Indian urbanity. Handcrafted puppets performed an engaging comedy and dance routine, using the phrase "Achche aam kab aayegein?" (When will the good mangoes arrive?) to spark discussions about how environmental changes affect mango ripening. The scent of the first monsoon rain was also recreated, enhancing the immersive experience.
The Indian Pavilion secured the second position at the London Design Biennale, marking a significant achievement in showcasing the essence of contemporary Indian culture on a global stage.