We’re very lucky at the V&A to have the details of inspiring and exciting events shared with us regularly, and we thought we might use this week’s post to pass these opportunities on to you.
Over the coming weeks, you may find us at any of the following – we encourage you to come along too!
For those abroad: Akar Prakar in collaboration with the Embassy of India in France, the Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India and Musee de la Toile de Jouy with Pranabranjan Ray as the advisor to the project, offer Continuing Traditions. Running from 12 May – 27 July, 2015 at Versaille’s Musee de la Toile de Jouy, the exhibition features an impressive group of contemporary Indian artists and designers inspired by the rich tradition of textiles in India. They include Anju Dodiya, Jayashree Chakravarty, Aditya Basak, G R Iranna, Paula Sengupta, Archana Hande, Shrabani Roy, Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Surajit Sarkar.
Across the pond, anyone who can make it to Sultans of Deccan India, 1500-1700 Opulence and Fantasy at the Met is certain to be spellbound. A range of objects explores ‘the unmistakable character of classical Deccani art in various media: poetic lyricism in painting, lively creations in metalwork, and a distinguished tradition of textile production’. Not to be missed.
If you find yourself near Delhi, be sure to check out the Devi Art Foundation’s Fracture: Indian Textiles, New Conversations. Curated by Mayank Mansingh Kaul, Rahul Jain and Sanjay Garg, and featuring some of the many artists and designers you’ll find the The Fabric of India, Fracture explores contemporary reinterpretations of Indian textile traditions, and offers some beautiful food for thought. But hurry – the exhibition closes in May!
While you’re there, don’t miss the Saree Festival 2015, ‘the adda of saree enthusiasts’. By the pictures alone we are sorely tempted to organise a staff trip. And for those of you who are followers of the fashion industry, be sure to also check out the latest Woolmark Prize Nominees. Last year’s winner was Rahul Mishra, who this year will be featured in The Fabric of India – so its safe to say we expect great things from this year’s nominees. They are all doubtless talent to keep your eyes on.
If you’re not aware of it already, wade into the debate that is currently taking place over whether India should change laws that protect the handloom industry. One of the key themes of The Fabric of India is the importance of the handloom industry to India’s history – get more takes on that issue here, here and here.
For those of you closer to London, be sure to catch Divia at the Bradford Literary Festival speaking about The Fabric of India – get an exclusive insider’s scope of the show and a chance to chat with Divia about all the questions we’ve not answered yet on the blog. Catch her Sunday 17 May, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm, at The Midland Hotel, Conference Centre.
If you can’t make that, no fear – you can still hear Divia in the BBC’s My Mother’s Sari – an excellent short radio documentary by Dr Shahidha Bari about the significance of the sari in British Asian women’s lives.
As you’re hopping between events, be sure to stop by the Alchemy Festival at Southbank, but be forewarned you might get stuck there longer than you had planned… there are so many incredible things to see! We’re particularly excited about Siddartha Das Studio Narrative Geometries, a free textile installation you can see between Friday 15 – Monday 25 May, between 10am – 11pm at the Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival Hall.
That should be enough to keep everyone busy for the next little while – but if there is something amazing we’ve missed, do share!