I was commissioned to work on a project for the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, which has been organizing the India International Jewellery Show for more than 17 years. The design brief specified for the show was to create two installations in glass, which would be modular in nature and would have the possibility of being interactive and engaging.
A 39 x 39 feet simulation of a natural object, “grass” in “glass”, therefore “glass grass” was my first installation. In the proposed space, it acted as a partition between nature and the building. Spiral forms were used taking inspiration from the IIJS logo.
The second installation was created to show the interaction between 2D and 3D forms by the use of abstract circular forms which depicted free flowing bubbles supported by a video installation. To make the installation more interactive, a pedestal was created to place the television and also to act as a seating. It was a large scale installation of 9 x 9 x 25 feet inspired by the innocence of childhood which is bound by societal norms as we grow up.
I was obsessed with the idea of the large scale on which I had to work but with a strict timeline, viable manufacturing technique, budget and high aesthetic value. After a detailed study of techniques, flame work was chosen fulfilling my requirements. I enjoyed every moment of the design process whether it was the confused state of mind over what art and design are or my absurd walks on the road when maximum observations were made and insights were discovered.
It was an enriching experience to work with constraints and solve various complications that arose during the process. I enjoyed the entire project; every moment was a lesson learnt.
