Innovation meets craft: Indian Design ID Mumbai returns for its second edition this weekend

(From left) The themes of modernity, craft and innovation blended with heritage and design tradition are evident in the installations. Pics Courtesy/India Design ID Mumbai

In a constantly evolving urban metropolis that is Mumbai, design can sometimes take a backseat to practical functionality. The second edition of the India Design ID that opens tomorrow will hope to change it with its theme, The Age of Design Syncretism, restoring the spotlight on innovative design, its ongoing evolution and role in the future metropolis.

Misha Bains

The discourse will find central focus at the symposium that will feature names such as Ricardo Bofill (RBTA, Spain), Valérie Maltaverne (founder of YMER & MALTA, Paris), Nuru Karim (founder of NUDES), Vikas Dilawari, Rooshad Shroff, and Kohelika Kohli, among others.

A display by Pinakin Studiox; (right) a Neo Deco installation by artist Siddharth Kerkar

"With this theme we wanted to highlight how diverse elements, reality and craft can come together to weave a new design language. We also wanted to focus on Mumbai-centric sessions this edition, which is most evident in the conversation on Mumbai Deco," says Misha Bains, fair director, India Design, adding, "This is the centenary year of the Art Deco Movement, and the Neo Deco installation is our homage to it. The idea was to curate an exhibition, and coax designers to re-imagine the style keeping in mind the modern forms."

Connections of taste

For Mohita Gandhi, director of experiences and partnerships, the syncretic nature of the edition extends into the culinary space. With a central bar takeover by the Park designed by artist Siddharth Kerkar in collaboration with The Park Hotel, the experiences will include immersive pop-ups, gourmet dining experiences and a coffee and listening bar experience. "Food builds community and connection, the gourmet experience at India design brings forth the city's most loved restaurants and bars like Mag St., Boojee Cafe, Twentyseven Bakehouse, La Loca Maria, among others. It is a cultural intersection celebrating tradition and lasting memories for your senses," Gandhi emphasises.

FROM September 26 to 28; 11 am onwards
AT Jio World Garden, BKC.
LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com
ENTRY Rs 1500 onwards

Events to catch

Rohan Shivkumar and Ratan J Batliboi

>> A city reborn: As Mumbai recovers from its monsoon, architect and activist PK Das discusses potential intervention plans with Ratan J Batliboi (founder, director, RJB - CPL), Anuradha Parikh (founder, artistic director, G5A), with Rohan Shivkumar (Dean-BArch, KRVIA) hosting the sessions.
ON September 26; 12.45 pm onwards

>> Stories on textile: Fabric, form, and space are central to this discussion helmed by Ruchika Sachdeva (founder-creative director, Bodice) and Asha Sairam of Studio Lotus.
ON September 26; 3 pm onwards

Olivia Sartogo and Maitham Almubarak

>> Vernacular insight: Architects and designers Batool Alshaikh and Maitham Almubarak (co-founders, Bahraini-Danish) discuss traditional knowledge of design and how they offer a way into modernity, with Olivia Sartogo (co-founder and curator, VIVA Arts)
ON September 27; 12.15 pm onwards

>> New designs: Yash Bhanage (Co-founder, Hunger Inc. Hospitality) joins studio heads Pavitra Rajaram, Gursi Singh, artists Doyel Joshi and Neil Ghose Balser to debate the changing nature of the retail worlds, and their immersive nature.
ON September 27; 1.45 pm

Atul Kumar and Vikas Dilawari

>> A legacy, retained: Mumbai voices Atul Kumar (founder, Art Deco Mumbai), architects Vikas Dilawari and Aahana Miller set the tone on the need and challenges to protect the city's iconic Deco structures.
ON September 27; 3.15 pm onwards

Installations to catch

Pinto chair, (right) Atelier Ashiesh Shah

NEO Deco: Featuring Indian and international design ateliers, the installation showcases over 40 contemporary objets d'art revisit the idea of Art Deco in its centenary year.

Syncretic Threads: These textile-led installations by six designers and ateliers layer identities, techniques and tradition to tell the continuing story of design as a site of ongoing cultural dialogue.