Materialistic Mumbai
Tangible postcards representing different pockets of Mumbai
Tangible postcards representing different pockets of Mumbai
I worked in collaboration with Majlis and Instituit Goethe on this project.
A city is not just made up of living people, but also of materials and objects. There are dedicated areas where these are produced. This project was an ode to those areas that have served as the heart and soul of the city. Where the working class population have produced various materials like bricks, glass, paper, metal etc - without which a city and its day-to-day cannot function. And each different pocket derives its name from these functions, workers or materials.
This is true for every city in the world.
I designed a set of postcards where each postcard was made of a material that connects the story of a place, its name
and its relation to Indian Cinema. For instance 'Bori Bunder' means 'A place where jute sacks are stored'. It was the old name
for Victoria Terminus (VT). VT station has been used in Indian Cinema as a backdrop to depict migration and a large city with
a fast life. If you explore the area around VT, you are sure to finds drawings by Goan artist Mario Miranda even today.
Hence Mario Miranda's illustration ‘Salaam Bombay’ was made into a stamp which symbolizes these cafes across VT
that have existed since 1925.
All this data comes together as text and collage on the postcard. Spaces like Tamba Kanta, Kapad Bazaar, Bangadi Bazaar etc. have also been covered. An installation of these postcards was showcased at the Max Mueller Bhavan, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai.
Boribunder or VT Station
Tamba Kanta - it derives its name from ancient copper weighing scales once upon a time in the local markets.
Bangri Bazaar or the bangle market.
Kapad Bazaar - The cloth market.
The customized stamps, each one perforated by hand.
The installation on display at Max Mueller Bhavan, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai.
