Simona Romano: Indian culture is inspired by
meditation and spirituality. In
your work the idea of virtual connection also seems to stem
directly from
the traditional spiritual connection. Ranjit
Makkuni: During mediation there is an inner connection
with out being
as well as an outer eco-cosmic connection with the universal
being. The west
has always been proud of being able to control and hence process
nature, and
more recently also clone it. In India the concept of possession
is a limitation.
The objects I design therefore seek to establish not only
a virtual connection,
but above all a spiritual connection. They serve a specific
purpose: their
use prompts processes that make us aware of our true nature.
At the same
time they are eco-friendly as they connect us to the same
spiritual substance
that permeates nature.
Simona Romano: Your projects
are based a strong link between technologies
and craft cultures and on the idea of an immaterial purpose.
Are these
premises for talking about a new design?
Ranjit Makkuni: Two objects in the Gandhi
museum exemplify the outcome of my
design path. The spiritual lamp in the castelessness room:
a luminous
cylinder wrapped in tree bark carved to from a symbol of union.
If you stand
in a circle around the lamp and hold hands the light comes
on, thanks to
sensors on the floor. The room of truth contains a beautiful,
huge steaming
wooden receptacle: an act of liberation, removing the mist
by blowing the
steam away, reveals the clearly visible luminous words "Be
true". These are
technologically sophisticated pieces, with a fine warm shell
produced by
village craftsmen and a purpose: to remember. Sacred design,
or rather
Sacred post industrial-product-design!
and more.....
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