“When women come together with a collective intention, magic happens.” And when that collective intention is to collaborate for a totally open-ended creative outcome, what emerges is truly unimaginable. One such serendipitous synergy resulted in KOAN – a milestone in the journey undertaken by four hearts (Jaba, Saloni, Mili and Niti, along with our firms Kuryaat, OBL/QUE, Assemblage and Niti) over a period of six months back in September 2017.
KOAN was a special event – an exhibition of beautifully designed objects and artefacts that flowed from the hearts of the four designer friends. Their passion for designs made with simple, clean lines and myriad variety colours, and their exploration of several different mediums and techniques generated a series of wonderfully attractive as well as functional products that brighten up spaces!
Team KOAN designed several artefacts as well as home decor items in five different themes – Festive, Floral, Aquatic, Vibrant and Transformational. Each theme had it’s own corresponding motif as well as colour palette which was explored to make different products.
Theme : Ganesha
From turmeric yellows to sindoor oranges to gulaal reds and so on, these are sacred and auspicious colours of our context. Invoking a joyous and celebratory feeling, this make our Festive Palette, whose corresponding motif is Ganesha! Being the lord of new beginnings, this was apt to become KOAN’s first theme.
Theme : Lotus
The lotus, emerging from the water and standing above it – undrenched and unsullied – has come to be accepted as a symbol of enlightenment and purity of mind. Not only is the lotus in bloom a pretty sight, it evokes positive thoughts in one who links it with his own journey on the spiritual path. The Lotus marks the second theme of the KOAN series.
Theme : Seahorse
For the third theme in the KOAN series, we dived deep into the ocean and came up with one of the cutest and most fascinating creatures found there – a SEAHORSE! Did you know that Seahorses are a symbol of Patience, Friendliness, Perspective, Generosity, Persistence, and Contentment? So here comes a splash of blues and aquas with our Aquatic Theme!
Theme : Hummingbird
Appearing out of nowhere the Hummingbird springs joy in the heart. Iridescent colours shimmering in the breeze, she pauses mid air to to drink in the sweet nectar that the flower so generously provides her. Hummingbird is a symbol of all things good. This forms the fourth theme of the KOAN series.
Theme : Butterfly
Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a Butterfly! The butterfly theme is the fifth theme in the KOAN series that seeks to bring about a warm, summery feel though the use of bright yellows and blues in combination with sombre browns.
