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Journalism of Courage
It’s not meant to be simply an exhibition, says Alice Cicolini as she sets up her jewellery at Colaba lifestyle store Bungalow 8,its meant to be a conversation between different cultures. Cicolini,a London-based designer,is here to exhibit her exquisite Meenakari jewellery,along with ultra-indigo,another London-based concern which is here to show its limited edition cashmere capes and silk kantha seating called pastilles. The exhibition,which aims to show the collaboration between Indian craft traditions and European design process,is on till Sunday.
Its entirely appropriate that were having this exhibition here, says Simon Fraser,co-founder of ultra-indigo,gesturing to the pre-colonial architecture of the store. The building that it is housed in,the Grants Building,used to be a warehouse for the East India Company. What were showing here today is evidence that globalisation existed before today and it was not driven by money,like it is these days, says Cicolini. It was driven by the importance given to traditional crafts. Maharajas would pay lakhs to steal a master craftsman from a rivals court.
Similarly,Fraser and his partners Ulli Oberlack and Elizabeth Wright bring English jacquard silk made on 19th century looms to India and get Kantha work done on them by Murshidabad-based workers. Its a collaboration; were giving new direction to a traditional Indian craft, explains Oberlack. Theyve also used handwoven Cashmere to create capes that have enough structure for non-Indians,but also retain the fluidity of the typical Indian shawl.
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