Explore the wonders of design at this exhibit in Mumbai

From January 10 47A is hosting the ldquoMaking and Wonderrdquo exhibit a show featuring about 11 prominent design houses in India all coming together to reflect on the true meaning of what design actually is The show is curated by Kaiwan Mehtamdashan architecture theorist and critic and also an educator He says ldquoItrsquos trying to do a very brief and quick review of contemporary design in India Now the topic may sound kind of overwhelming and large but we are not trying to do a large survey show or a historical review Instead wersquore responding to the fact that in the last 20 years since Indiarsquos liberalisation design has gained a different kind of currency in society and as a professional creative spacerdquoKaiwan MehtaDesign is a rather large umbrella which is why Mehta decided to niche it down ldquoThere are two areas of design that I picked out fashion and interior design These are particularly popular in both the general and professional imagination Of course there are many other areashellip but these two have strongly captured public interestrdquo he says Mehta believes that more than just responding to it design shapes culture With rapid commercialisation and a need to produce more and more as fast as possible it is a good time to slow down pause and reflect on how our design is responding to the issues of our world He says ldquoHow are we contributing to the social space How do we address questions of craft labour and the environment Environmental concerns are deeply tied to societal issues At the same time we must consider how design interacts with personal space gender and the relationship between public and private spacesrdquoThe exhibit features 11 design studios from across the country including names such as Ateev Anand Busride Design Studio Chicory Chai and many more When asked what made him choose these studios Mehta says ldquoThese studios are thoughtful about their craft and materiality They are very conscious about how they bring technique materiality and aesthetics together Their work involves collaboration with embroiderers carpenters and other artisans Every piece they create becomes an experiment in material and technique They also think deeply about broader questions What is fashion about Is it about the body How does a piece of furniture fit into a space Their approach ensures that their designs linger in memory and touch beyond their immediate utilityrdquoThe exhibit will provide for a deepdive into the process or as the name suggests the ldquomakingrdquo of design ldquoThe world often sees only the finished product but design involves a lot of detailed decisionmaking For instance whether to use a nail or a screw the kind of stitch or embroidery the fabric the coloursmdashthese decisions accumulate to create the final product The process of makingmdashthe skills the crafts the collaboration between designers and artisansmdashbrings an object to life Designers must also think consciously For example how does a design affect the body How does it shape personal or shared spaces Two people sitting at a table for instance are influenced by the tablersquos designmdashits height edge colour and materialrdquo he saysWonder on the other hand goes beyond function Mehta says ldquoToday lsquodesign thinkingrsquo has become a buzzword in management and problemsolving contexts But design isnrsquot just about solutions If it were we would stop making new things after finding functional designs for objects like pots or spoons Wonder adds joy amazement and thoughtfulness to design Itrsquos not about fleeting surprises but about creating a lasting sense of awe and reflection Wonder is what connects design to beauty and aesthetics akin to the feelings evoked by nature or art Good design should make us more perceptive and thoughtful about liferdquoThe point of the exhibit remains reflection and appreciation for good design Mehta says ldquoI hope people realise that design is not just a luxury or a lifestyle item While design does cost money it shouldnrsquot be seen as something inaccessible Good design can and should exist in everyday life A healthy market ensures that everyone has access to welldesigned objects whether itrsquos a pen a phone or a piece of furniturerdquoWhen Jan 10 12Where 47A Khotachi Wadi Girgaum