Showing posts with label design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label design. Show all posts
It thrills me no end to see the product design scene in India is suddenly on an adrenaline rush. It's like watching a garden bloom on Discovery channel time lapse video. I've been writing on design and interiors for five odd years now, so I'm constantly coming across new brands, labels, studios and designers to admire.

Recently, I came across a new furniture design studio called Project Wood. No brownie points for guessing that they love making things with wood. Run by Kanika Pahwa, Project Wood organically grew out of Studio Ezube, New Delhi based interior design firm.

Styled and photographed by Aditi Gaitonde

"As an interior designer, I'm constantly on the lookout for accessories that I can use for projects. Since I often couldn't find accents to suit my requirements, I began designing and making my own accessories and furniture pieces," explains Kanika about Project Wood, a 2-month-old product design studio. Most of their creations are handmade and almost all of them can be customised too.



Newer products are added every fortnight to the e-shop, I've already made a wishlist of my favourite five. Use the Code: SMT20 to get 20% off site wide discount on ProjectWood.in.


1. Pyramids Wall Frames - Set of 3
Their form instantly remind me of teepees and Red Indians! These dip dyed frames have small shelves that can hold a curio or two. Although it was designed for a kids room, I think its minimalistic silhouette works even for adults. Made of white ash wood, the colours can be customised.
Cost: Rs 5,000 for a set 
20% off with code SMT20: Rs 4,000 for a set 




 2. Sand Dunes Console
Love how this console's design plays with light and shadow to create a visual treat. The front of this console is made of rubber wood while the rest of it is crafted from commercial ply. Two toned in natural teak and white ash, this too can be personalised to suit the dining or living room.
Cost: Rs 35,000
20% off with code SMT20: Rs 28,000




3. Hook Hill Hangers - Set of 2
These wall accessories were crafted as hangers to hold bags, scarves, clothes, jewellery and what not. Personally, I'd use it wall art. Minimalistic in design, these white ash wood hangers are fitted with ceramic hooks that come in four patterns - red, green, brown and blue.
Cost: Rs 625 for a set
20% off with code SMT20: Rs 500 for a set






4. The Rolling Lamp 
This contemporary lamp is made out of woven yarn and it about 10 feet long. The sheer length and the neutral colour lets you get creative with its placement. I like the idea of using two of these to create a headboard art in the bedroom where the bulbs dangle on each side of the bed.

If you need an angle or anchor to hold the light in place, Project Wood can custom make one for you too. They also plan to release this product is different colours. Also is it just me or is there something delightfully boho about this lamp.
Cost: Rs 799
20% off with code SMT20: Rs 640



5. Trio Frame Shelves - Set of 3
Clean lined, functional and versatile, these wall frames can hold knick knacks just like the Pyramid frames. Made of teak, their colours can be customised as well. I love that they were made with the idea of introducing plants indoors. If you ask me, together with the plants...the setting almost looks like a 3-dimensional work of art.
Cost: Rs 1,800 for a set
20% off with code SMT20: Rs 1,440 for a set

Images courtesy: Project Wood

 Full disclosure: ProjectWood.in sent me the The Rolling Lamp in exchange for an honest review. All of the content and opinions in this post are my own.
I've known Anish for a few months now. And if there's anything that can be said about him, it's this - his passion for photography is as evident and blazing like the sun at the peak of summer. Professionally, he's a fashion photographer who equally loves shooting portraits. Personally, he's my favourite Punjabi.

The photo essay that you'll experience in a few scrolls from now was shot a few years ago in his homeland. The words describing it are his. The perceptive will gauge the irony in the title of the essay. But they would also be right to think of it as gloomy. It is. In most parts, it's hazy to a point of distorted. There's a sense of longing and uncertainty that pricks through the skin. It's cold, yes, but winter is more than the drop of temperature and the absence of warmth. It's also a brutal reminder of death where the landscape mourns and come to terms with closing curve of life. 



Photo Essay: Anish Sarai's Winter Epiphany

Timeless thoughts of a winter's stare;
eyes gazing over a landscape bare.
Memories drift on a blustery breeze;
dying light ushers in the freeze.
Reaching out for a grasp on the present;
stillness sets in, alone, and desolate.
Future unknown, outcome uncertain;
brilliance shadowed by a drawn curtain.

--- By Michael A. Barron

Vision is a funny thing. How one perceives and interprets a thing largely depends on what one is experiencing in their life at that moment. Like a happy person sees brighter colours.

I was visiting my maternal village in the great land of Punjab after decades… but it wasn't for a happy occasion. The pre-fed images imprinted in my mind by Bollywood as well as the previously experienced memories of Punjab were strictly different from what I was seeing now.

In movies, this iconic land is forever depicted as green, happy and flourishing with stereotypical imagery of prosperity. But there is a darker side to my native land. Like the plain everyday fact that the community is deeply ridden with drug inflicted youth and immense scarcity of jobs.

Winters are dry with vast landscapes barren landscapes that are lost in a haze. A fog so thick you cannot see beyond it. This state of desolateness, a state of my mind at that very moment, is what I attempted to capture.

You can see more of his work on his website, Instagram and Behance. He can be reached at anish.sarai@gmail.com. All pictures are property of Anish Sarai. Republishing or using them without prior permission of the artist is strictly prohibited.

I've been terrible these past few months. Ever since I've got that neck and back problem, I've been ignoring my commitments and promises and spending precious time writhing in bed with a cold pack. But enough. Enough of pity, enough of pain sensitivity, enough of ignoring my blog/friends/family/life. It's 2017 dammit. My 28th chance to finally get it right. Besides, the new year is a good time as any to start a new music series with my favourite musician, no?

So, meet Adriel George. I met him over nine years ago when we were studying in the same college. I remember watching him with my jaw on the floor as he danced during our graduation party. Although he studied IT, Adriel chose to string together his own path, note after note. He's now a music composer (a damn good one at that) and producer for films, theatre and those Youtube ads that you sometimes can't skip and end up liking.

That's our man on the keyboards
A much sought after piano teacher, he loves sneaking into hotel lobbies and malls with grand pianos and serenading late-night guests with his renditions of famous movie themes. Although I'm yet to catch him in action, I have heard him tune out the world and drown in chords at his studio in Santacruz, Mumbai.

On a regular day, you'll find him writing hauntingly touching orchestral arrangements or obscure dance music, while smothering his cat Lilith aka Lil' Kitty (she's ghetto like that) with love and affection. I've admired his choice in music for years. Varied as it is, I somehow seem to connect with several songs that he suggests.

He was kind enough to create a playlist for this post that has been long loooonnngggg overdue. But to hell with pain and nerve compression, you are going to hear this compilation and you are going to hear it now!

Listen to his original compositions on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/seeminglythat 
And stalk him on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SeeminglyThat/

Tell us what you think of his six song playlist for January.




Adriel George talks about his January Playlist for SlowMotionThoughts.com 
The first two songs on my January list are by Glass Animals, an English indie rock band from Oxford with a very groovy sound and strong catchy melodies. "Youth (2016)" is from their album How to be Human Being and "Pools" is an older track from their 2014 album Zaba.


The third song "Diddy Bop (2016)" is by 25 year old Fatimah Warner, better known by her stage name, Noname. She's an American hip hop recording artist/ poet from the Bronzeville, Chicago.

After her track, listen to "Professional Rapper (2015)" by David Andrew Burd, better known by his stage name, Lil Dicky. He's an American rapper and comedian who admittedly began his rap career to merely get attention comedically and eventually fell head over heels with the genre.


Up next is "Au pays d'Alice (2014)", a jazz musical inspired by Lewis Carroll's 1865 novel Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Accompanying French-Lebanese musician Ibrahim Maalouf is the rapper/poet Oxmo Puccino. A stunning adaptation of Carroll's iconic story, it features various musicians including a thirty piece classical orchestra and a children's choir. My favourite one from the album is "Jamais quand il faut" that's followed by the entire piece performed live.

This one is long long long long looooonnnnggg overdue. I met Sirawon Khathing, one half of Biscoot & Rain, back in 2014 when we worked together at Elle Decor India. She's been one of my closest friends ever since and one of my favourite Indian illustrators of all time. She has been the photographer for some of my fashion stories.



She runs a unique design and illustration studio along with her childhood friend Ben Ningtoutao. Professionally both of them are stellar designers... Sira works in Mumbai, India and Ben in Christchurch, New Zealand. A cross-continent collaboration, their sole source of inspiration and interest is North East India, especially Shillong, the hill station where they grew up. No ocean can keep this creative duo away from their one true love.

Last year, Biscoot & Rain was on a roll. Apart from collaborating on different project, they were a part of NH 7 Weekender's Periphery Art Project curated by Bombay Duck Designs' Sameer and Zeenat Kulavoor. Their illustration travelled across the country and was also a part of an exhibition at the Pune venue. The curated visual line-up included other illustrators like Sumedha Sah, Jasjyot Singh Hans, Komet Juice and others.



Every year end, come rain or shine, Biscoot & Rain brings out a fabulous calendar for the upcoming year. For 2017, they have a stunning wall poster calendar with tear-off months. I've always admired the minute details they notice and incorporate in their work. Although, I've never been to the North East, I've seen it through the eyes of Biscoot & Rain. The jhola bags, the wooden pipes, the pickle stand, the betting shop with the chuna stains... I've seen it all.

Psst: If you order their calendar before Jan 1, 2017, you'll get a 15% discount. Shop here and use this code LocalBiscoot




We spoke to the beautiful minds behind this brand to understand them more.

How did Biscoot & Rain come to be? Tell us your story...
Biscoot & Rain is a collection of illustrations inspired by places we love and have lived in. We are nearing 30. Haha. We're family friends and met in Shillong when we were about 9 or 10 years old.

Ben: I’ve always been drawing for as long as I can remember, and haven’t seen myself as anything else but as an artist since I was about five years old. I started with drawing superheroes and then I discovered storytelling and realised that art has a way of re-drawing our own (as well as others’) perspective of life.

Sira: I grew up in Shillong and then moved to a boarding school in Mussoorie. Half my exercise books were always filled with cartoon and drawings. I remember this one semester in high school, I did well in Biology and told Dad that I was going to major in it. He asked if I was sure because he knew what I really loved.

I'm so glad he did. I thought about it and dropped all major science classes, and took other classes that helped me give shape to my skills. My style is less realistic with textures. I love pencil on paper and tend to lean towards the comic style.



Walk me through your collaborative process. How do you work together and remain inspired about your main subject (North East India) despite living in different parts of the world?
I think living so far away from our inspiration and each other gives us space to think and dream of ideas. It’s not often but when we come up with new ones, we hit each other up and discuss ideas and we find that it takes off from there organically, even with our styles.

Something good always comes out of an idea, and we have never had to force anything. More that putting our ideas on papers, a lot of time goes into research to make it more concrete. Ideas come from memory, nostalgia, things we've jotted down, photos taken of things whenever we visit home. We also try to divide pencil work and colouring, so that both of us work on an artwork. Our families and friends help us with research and all the ground work.



Your preferred media and subject? There’s nothing like traditional art forms, like pencil/painting on paper and we try and do that when we can, and then finish off on digital. Subject is definitely Local Life.


I have your last two calendars and often find myself staring at the minute details that you've so effortlessly included. Where does inspiration come from?
What you call ‘attention to detail’ in our work shows up because they come out of real experiences, real smells, real taste and real moments that we remember having felt.

Sira: Living away from home makes us look at everything with a fresh eye every time we visit. Even the simplest things we use or see everyday which we sometimes take for granted make such beautiful themes and subjects.

Ben: My favourite moments growing up in Shillong happened on the streets at the food stalls, or having chai at local shops, hustling in the plaza, etc and it is the little details in those experiences that serve as visual clues to remember them by – and that inspires me.



Where do you see Biscoot & Rain in 15 years?
Ben: In my personal opinion, NE India has become so political and that makes me cringe. I want to celebrate the simplicity of life, the joys of the common street, food, culture and lingo. Can we talk about how magical the simple event of walking down a bazaar in a town in Northeast is?

I live in New Zealand and I miss that magic every single day. And in fifteen years, I hope the stuff that we love about NE India still remains. And I hope to tell more stories celebrating them.

Sira: Through Biscoot and Rain, we want to represent how beautiful Northeast India truly is. Not just the landscape but the rich culture, the life and the people. Our simple name Biscoot and Rain is also taken from a favourite time of the day, sipping on tea, breathing in the fresh air and watching the rain.



Your antidote to laziness?
Wrong people to ask – a deadline.

A talent you wish you had...
Ben: Classical piano. Rap. Hindi poetry.

Sira: Don't laugh, but theatre

One thing you miss about home (apart from family, of course) Everything you see us draw in Biscoot & Rain.



Who is the funniest person you know?
Ben: My younger brother. He’s a clown and he's smart.

Sira: My mom, she's just knows how. She gets along with all ages, and she's fun and funny.

What’s the first thing you remember about each other? Comic books in Pen and Goa

If you were a colour, what colour would you be?
Ben: White. It is the combination of all colours.

Sira: Pastel brown. Love earthy colours

There is too much of ____________ in the world.
Talk


Follow them on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Biscoot/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biscootandrain/

Biscoot & Rain are open to artistic collaborations. You can write to them at hellobiscoot@gmail.com

I've been out of action for a while trying to deal with a physical aliment. You know what they say... As you grow older, you slowly die inside. While macabre might be my mood of the hour, it is certainly on hold as I type this blog post. Meet the Puppeteer behind Puppet Diaries.



The democratic digital age has granted us access to a world of knowledge in every form and fashion. More importantly, it has given us, each and every one of us, a blank canvas. I like to think of us as artists of sorts – digitizing our lives, putting on a show, making unabashed statements and performing "live".



Then again, there are artists, in the dictionary sense of the word, who have taken platforms like Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram and turned them into permanent galleries. And this particular artist, going by the name of reluctant puppeteer recently took to Instagram to exhibit an alter ego.



The protagonist of the series is bejewelled, pink haired puppet head called Karl (that resembles our favourite fashion moghul). He is a nomad, comfortable in his own skin, who travels the circumference of the planet making astute observations and hilarious connections. As of Nov 2016, Karl has travelled to Mykonos, Sydney, Kumbh, Deoghar and Yinchuan. Like the rest of us mortals, Karl even went to the bank in India.



The puppet and the puppeteer feed on adventure to bring a timely documentation of travel... more whimsical, mighty aesthetic and delightfully ironic if I may add. (#ExtraInfo: Wanderers are my favourite kind of people).

I cannot stress enough on the impeccable eye behind the lens. In most of the imagery, I find myself instantly yet frantically looking for blingy Karl... a "Where's Valdo?" like urgency that thrills when I find the puppet, only to discover the world around and beyond him.



When it boils down to it, here's what the project is essentially about, according to their website –
A traveller, explorer and a curious soul, the Puppet Diaries is a reflection of the artists' innate desire to set aside an ongoing serious artistic practice, and bring some comic relief with this parallel project.

Although, I might not be able to tell you if reluctant puppeteer is a girl or boy (like it matters), I can however let you in on an email interview with all the scoop...

Where did the reluctant puppeteer meet Karl, the puppet?
During a trip to the Kumbh Mela, Karl happened to be with my travel group. I have always been apprehensive of being photographed, and so decided to use Karl as a front to capture my travel experiences. Since then, he has been the forefront of my travel adventures.

A photo posted by Puppet Diaries (@puppetdiaries) on


Tell me about Karl's first adventure. The first time I started documenting Karl was overwhelming, but also ethereal. More than a subject, Karl is my expression through which I experience all these new destinations.


Why does the puppeteer remain to be anonymous?
In a very bizarre perspective, Karl is a part of my own personality and nature. It is not Karl as the public icon of fashion with which I am relating, but as a character that can create humour for me, and generate curiosity among the viewers too.

A photo posted by Puppet Diaries (@puppetdiaries) on

How would you describe puppet Karl's personality versus your own?
Sometimes funny, often cheeky yet also a bit of a thinker. Now that I’m thinking about it, I guess you could say there are similarities!


What do you love the most about the real Karl?
There is no real Karl. Karl is a combination of all the places and people I experience through my travels.

A photo posted by Puppet Diaries (@puppetdiaries) on


Follow Puppet Diaries on Instagram. You can also write to the artist at info@puppetdiaries.com or visit their website.

Update Dec 7, 2016
Look who's travelling. It's Princess Pea x Pero doll and she's exploring Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2017.

I haven't picked up a paint brunch since I was 20. That was a long long time ago. So I was rather intrigued when I got an email from the PR representing a new art-social called Paintstorm. When descriptor read as "a social event at a pub where you can drink, eat and paint"...who wouldn't wanna know more!



Last month, a bunch of us were invited to attend an MF Husain sesh by Paintstorm at The White Owl. I rarely attend events on weekdays (ahem, I rarely attend events but aim to change that soon) but curiosity got to this cat and I showed up with a friend in tow. Turn out, Paintstorm was started by 4 young people who just wanted to spend time out at a pub doing something fun. I love how simple problems birth inventive solutions. So for a price, you get paint supplies, booze, finger food and a good time.



I didn't realise how much I missed painting till I picked up that big brush. We were recreating an MF Husain classic and were walked through step by step by one of the founders while the rest of them walked around helping us. Best part? No rules. Sure, she was showing us exactly how to recreate the painting but they encouraged us to make it our own.



I went in thinking it would be fun to touch canvas again. Little did I realise how I missed painting and how incredibly de-stressing it is. All with a glass of Mango Ale Craft Beer in hand with some delish tapas from The While Owl...

Oh, I also got to take my masterpiece home.

Facebook: paintstorm.in
Instagram: @paintstorm.in 
Salad bowls are my new thing. Too bad I'm still trying to get my grip on making a awesome salad.
While I stare at pinterest with interest (I'm sorry for that) looking for "easy salads", "healthy salads" and "taste but easy salads".... I found this beauty.

Elvy from New Delhi has these super fancy salad bowls from Vietnam. White and wood are a classic combination. Somehow this bowl and salad spoons look equal parts oriental and Scandinavian. I love the clean lacqured white and the classy gold rim.
Website: Elvy.in
She is here and in full swing. Might as well make the best of it, right? Summer with her sunny rays and heat waves is at her tropical best for the next few months. The heat is just incidental when you are comparing it to leisurely holidays, pool parties, easiest excuses for ice cream, TV show marathon, lazing around with a gripping book and quaint picnics. Last Sunday I wanted just that...but with The Boy busy on his Eurotrip, I turn to my second love....Books but with a change in scene. That's when lightning struck! Why not construct a cosy picnic for one? 
food, home decor

Making the most of my apartment building, I decided to rustle up a cosy nook on the terrace. But you know me and how crazy I get with planning things... I really wanted this "me time" picnic to be perfect. 

food, home decor

To start with I turned to a trusted source - Flipkart.com. I've always bought all my books and electronics there but rarely ventured further than that. Until now when I really needed quality home decor items to be delivered to me as soon as possible. Knowing the brand's super efficient delivery service, I decided to explore their Home & Kitchen section for products to complete the setting I pictured in my tiny head. It took me a couple of days to choose my favourite things because I like variety (and I am a typical Libran) and Flipkart.com's Home Store is as various as it gets. From serveware, glasses and curtains to tea sets, bed linen and decoratives, this girl was spoilt for choice! Plus, there’s something for every kind of budget - the affordable “value for money” or the high end kind, the prices are at their very best.

food, picnic

food, picnic, flipkart

Once I was done making up my scatter brain, the products were delivered to me, with tons of bubble wrap (yay), in a few days. The first breather of week saw me and my little things up on the terrace setting up for a quiet, rustic setup. 

picnic, food, home decor

home decor, food, picnic

I went for an airy, all white theme. JBG Home Store Cotton Solid Double Bedsheet’s is spread on the concrete floor and peppered with some beauties. For a touch of whimsy a Gifts By Meeta Cage that stands spectator to the beauty while a Importwala Hanging Ball Big Glass Tealight Holder delicately holds a few marigold flowers. A brown Onlineshoppee Wooden Cutting Board is used as an assorted cheese board with crackers and grapes and is placed near the sweet Wink Jute Bread Basket that’s filled with delicious bread sticks. For that extra bit of sprinkle, those Chrome 3 Piece Salt & Pepper Set shaped like adorable Panda heads lay happily around. For a bite of brunchy goodness, some waffle with honey on a Corelle Winter Frost plate.
home decor, flipkart, picnic

See in the bargain of being a grown up, we traded in our perfectly fabulous summer vacas for occasional weekends. Let's make the best of those two days that disappear oh-so fast. And what better than to put together an intimate picnic for two...maybe even one. My picnic for one was a roaring hit: I caught up with my reading, drank some vino, had me some cheese and broke some delicious bread while I surrounded myself by pretty things. Give it a go, I bet you will love it!  
 picnic, flipkart, home decor

All the home decor items are from Flipkart.com while all the food is from Foodhall. 
Styling and Photography by Aditi Gaitonde