My project started by trying to know more about what makes Bangalore a Garden city, and taking inspiration from the foliage of heritage trees to create an experience of the same for younger age groups.

 

The research included gathering botanical information and taking green walks to collecting personal narratives about trees from children that was expressed through art.  

 

These interpretations evolved into a new bank of inspiration with various natural and anthropomorphic elements to work with. Thus, this project is an attempt at reinterpreting and curating the world of abstractness and absurdities from a child’s point of view into a tactile experience through handcrafted textile techniques. In this manner, taking the stories from children to children.

 

This had to be fused with the identity and requirements of my client the Small Story, who wanted to create a new line of products for children, with aspects of free play, education, story telling and utility by creating a new use to their textile scraps and to generate a new form of livelihood option to an NGO group in Calcutta.

 

The project resulted in creating a range of toys that emerged from various artworks, experimenting with different materials, forms, techniques and character design. Thus allowing space for non-linear story telling and imaginative play among children.

 

The story of the pet tree originated from a six year old child's imagination. In his world the tree looked like a dog, that moved all around the world. I have curated this narrative and artwork into a larger story through handcrafted toys. In the process of making it I have added layers to it and created a bunch of characters who live on this tree. The different characters are also inspired by various artworks that came from children.