What story does the flower vase in your home tell?

Does a flower vase have to be just that — a flower vase? What if you tie a story to it? How interesting it would be if we could transform everyday objects in a way that they stir the intellect.

What if you looked at the flower vase as a devotee? Consider this explanation given by Abhijit Bansod, who runs the design space studioABD (Studio Abhijit Bansod Designs) in Whitefield. Conical shaped, the flower vase ‘pierces’ through the table made of wood and industrial magnets. “This thought is inspired from the devotees who pierce themselves. It is very ritualistic,” says Bansod whose work echoes design and functionality. “Being Indian is a powerful tool,” he adds, explaining that life can be pumped into mute objects when they are placed in the larger context of our tradition and culture. Central to Bansod’s work is the belief that it is necessary to infuse deeper meaning to everyday objects.

One such is the Mubhi collection, (the aforementioned flower vase is a part of this collection), an intense series that draws heavily from tradition. Another is Mannat, a wishing tree carved in black metal with silver inlay. It is crafted in the Bidri style of Andhra Pradesh. “The Mannat brings humility to life. It is a reminder of how many wishes you have made. We allow people to bring that tokenism home,” Bansod says. 

Bansod designed watches for Titan for a decade. However, his fascination for everyday things pushed him to design more than just watches. The studio emerged over the last year and a half, he says. “Storytelling is an important part of the process, and we (his wife and he) draw heavily from Indian tradition,” a long line of such pieces adorn his studio mantle.

Everyday things don’t have to be boring. Home décor can be fun, and Bansod envisions the home as well as public spaces soaking in creativity without compromising on functionality. “India is known for yoga and Bollywood. When it comes to design, the world thinks of Italy. I want to create an Indian Design Vocabulary,” he says. We need to start by introducing design in homes. Right now design and functionality are not seen as a single component, with his designs he wants to change that perception.

To this end, “Everything should be cheap, everything should be beautiful and it should be available to the masses,” he says. The designer products in the Live Things collection embody that thought. So there is a paperweight designed like a monster and a piggy bank or change collector wittily titled chai-paani. They are all reasonably priced between Rs200 and Rs1,500, the aim being access to a large number of people.

Mubhi, on the other hand, is a high-end collection starting at Rs1,500. However, he emphasises, there is a need to build “a culture of innovation and respect.” Handcrafted products come cheap in India. That, according to him, has to change. His association with craftsmen, hence, is based on valuing traditional workmanship.

‘Live Things’ is a studioABD concept that adds an Indian touch to everyday items we use, from paperweights or cellotape dispensers.

Bansod’s studio space oozes creativity, too, glued together by functionality. Their sole inspiration, they say is India, its history and culture. When they fall short, Bansod and his team need look not too far. For, the table around which their discussions happen is created using waste wood shavings.
For more, log on to www.studioabd.in