AD Design Show 2023 Celebrates the Essence of Vernacular Architecture and Indian Textiles
5 Dariya News
Mumbai 16-Sep-2023
In the heart of Mumbai, the fourth edition of AD Design Show’s second day ended with much pomp and flair. Over the three days, AD India, the country’s leading design magazine, has curated a diverse program speaking to various interests in the field of design and aesthetics.
Day TWO kicked off with the ADxJSW Prize for Contemporary Craftsmanhip’s award ceremony where Kolkata based Mahua Lahiri of Hushnohana won the much deserved honor. This year, as the prize turned five, the jury awarded.
The Lifetime Achievement Award to Brigitte Singh of Jaipur for her life’s work in blockprinting. The country’s most celebrated fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, known for his maximalist craftsmanship, joined Komal Sharma, for an insightful conversation on taking Indian design to the rest of the world.
Under a cascading red tent made of fabric, architect Sameep Padora gave audiences an insight into the contemporary iteration of the “Lal Dera”. This was followed by a presentation by curator, writer and textile expert, Mayank Mansingh Kaul who elaborated on the history of textile architecture in shrines, courts, and bazaars.
This was followed by visionaries like Asaf Ali of Kashmir Loom and Maximiliano Modesti who talked about their individual journeys in craftsmanship, while architects Samuel Barclay and Palinda Kannangara from Sri Lanka showcased their projects that spoke of design that is in alignment with nature.
Day-two ended with fashion designer Rajesh Pratap Singh, creative director of the fashion house Satya Paul hosting an intimate cocktail party at the AD Lounge. The central highlight of the show is the contemporary interpretation of “Lal Dera”.
The AD team took inspiration from the original Lal Dera, the most spectacular decorative object from the Mughal era that lies with the Mehrangarh Museum Trust in Jodhpur, crafted out of red silk and velvet, and heavily embroidered with gold thread.
AD invited sP+a’s Sameep Padora to reimagine this textile architecture, which will also form an intimate space for talks and sessions. Inside the “Lal Dera” features a hand knotted rug crafted by Jaipur Rugs with intricate all-over floral motifs, resembling lush gardens in full bloom along with flooring courtesy of Symphony International.
The Power to the Karigar Pavillion powered by JSW makes a grand return this year with seven karigars from across the country.
The Karigars featured are:
● Gudari Making by Kalbelia Craft Revival Project x Kota Heritage Society - Kota, Rajasthan
● Contemporary Miniature Art by Riyazuddin x Kaash - Jaipur, Rajasthan
● Nakshi Kantha by Mahua Lahiri x Hushnohana - Kolkata, West Bengal
● Embroidery by Ravi Dhanabal x Julia & Sita - Chennai, Tamil Nadu
● Art of Weaving by Thiyagarajan X Neytt - Kerala
● Natural Fibre Futures by Mahadevamma x The Kishkinda Trust - Karnataka
● Kathkuni by Thakar Chand x North Studio - Himachal Pradesh
Additional installations at the show include Sarnath and Tree of Life, designed at Good Earth and created by artisans in Bhuj and Benares. Inspired by the travelling traditions of nomadic communities, and the vibrant exchange of ideas and crafts, the quilts represent a shared South Asian tradition of extraordinary textiles.
Sanjay Garg’s Raw Mango will be displaying a museum-style glass cabinet showcasing garments from the collection ‘AGAMA’. A grand Olive tree in an autumn glow of warm copper by Alex Davis Studio. CMYK presents a custom built book pavilion that showcases a curated collection of luxury books. featuring a collection of luxury books sourced from the finest publishers globally.
Wittman by Beyond&more’s installation at the show, features The Kubus Armchair: A Josef Hoffmann Masterpiece (1910), Vuelta Armchair: A Fusion of Artistry by Jaime Hayon (2016) and Tuky Side Table: Luca Nichetto's Modern Craftsmanship (2022). KMA’s series of bespoke landscape collectibles reflects its respect for nature and innate sensitivity to ecology.
Associate Partners:
● DAG: ‘Celebrating the Modern’ is DAG’s ode to the vibrancy of Indian art with a hand-picked selection that guides us through the development of Indian modernism through diverse movements and genres.
● JSW: JSW Foundation is committed to restoring and rebuilding the diverse cultural heritage of India while aiming to protect and preserve the country’s rich legacy.
● The Singleton Social x Nicobar: The Singleton Social x Nicobar collection, where simple serendipities meet curiosity and a love for craft and detail.
For the first time this year, the AD café is being designed by Celebrity Interior Designer - Shabnam Gupta. The beautiful setting is akin to wandering in a souk-style bazaar, an ensemble of décor and furniture, a slice of Peacock Life (Shabnam Gupta's furniture line) x AD.
Hospitality partners include; Taftoon which is an ode to the flavours of the Grand Trunk Road, the northern axis of the Indian subcontinent from the 16th Century. Taftoon's newest sister-concern CIRQA makes its way to the AD Design Show.
Blah! - the ultimate destination for brunch serves up twists to classics such as pancakes, waffles and perfectly cooked eggs dominate the menu. Nutcracker - The menu offers an innovative range of comfort food options, always focusing on high quality and fresh ingredients both local and international.
KCROASTERS strives on creating a community & delivering a coffee experience that is nothing less than memorable. Last but not the least, Vedica water.
Galleries: VHC | Vida Heydari Contemporary, Apparao Galleries, Farah Siddiqui Contemporary Art, Dhoomimal Gallery, DAG
Brand Partners: Aadyam Handwoven (An Aditya Birla Initiative), Abraham & Thakore, Alex Davis Studio, Apparao Galleries, Arttd'inox, Asian Paints Nilaya, Aux Home, Chesterfield Designs, Cmyk Bookstore, Dag, Digital Dreams, Evokar, Farah Siddiqui Contemporary Art X Dhoomimal Gallery, Good Earth, India Circus By Krsnaa Mehta - A Godrej Venture, Jain Handicrafts, Ikai Asai, Jaipur Rugs, Janavi India, Jsw, Kunal Maniar And Associates, Litotees Design Studio, Maison Sia, Nimrat Narang, Obeetee Carpets, Oikos Presented By Sirca Paints India Ltd., Peacock Life By Shabnam Gupta, Pinakin Studio, Ritu Kumar Home, The World Of Satya Paul, Smartsters, Smeg, Soulstory, Splendour Living, Symphony International, The Ambiente - Handcrafted Rugs, Uma Design, Vhc | Vida Heydari Contemporary, Vita Moderna, Vu Tvs, White Domus, Wittman By Beyond&More, Zookeeper.
To buy tickets for the last day.
ABOUT ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST INDIA
Launched in March 2012, Architectural Digest India is one of the youngest editions after establishing itself in nine key markets around the world. Redefining the concept of excellence in design and architecture, AD India is the discerning reader’s definitive bible on beautiful homes, future trends, and current news.
Its annual property, AD100, is one of the most influential power lists in the country, naming the biggest names in Indian architecture, interiors, and design. In 2018, AD Design Show Mumbai's “First Luxury Art and Design Fair” was launched with much fanfare, and was attended by a superlative mix of respected industrialists, architects, interior designers, corporate head honchos, Bollywood celebrities and socialites.