Durga Puja Festive Pavillion – Behala Nutan Dal, Kolkata, by Abin Design Studio

The overall experience of this net-zero art installation is to demonstrate a transcendental journey of freedom, agony and joy in childhood! Globally, children are going through a crisis brought on by being pushed to mould themselves into society's preconceived notions of education and lifestyle.

Starry fair in the al fresco of disintegrating childhood cycle…

Durga Puja Festive Pavillion - Behala Nutan Dal, Kolkata, by Abin Design Studio 1

‘Children’ and ‘Childhood’ are going through a crisis in the global context. They are set in the mundane moulds of this society governed by preconceived notions of education and lifestyle. Some children are even more unlucky to lose their childhood because of political turmoil and inhuman violence. Society needs to voice its opinion on this issue. ‘Art’ can be one such very strong medium to express the concerns pertaining to the children, who are actually the future flag bearers and responsible for the progress of our civilization.

The installation is based on the idea of ‘Childhood’ – the most formative and beautiful phase of human existence. At the entrance of the installation, an abstract flight of birds overhead depicts the freedom of thought and creativity in young children. The wings gradually diminish and the birds tessellate into an array of boxes. Along with the deconstructed arrangement, the boxes put forward a commentary on the scenario of a child’s immense inherent potential getting slowly confined into a metaphorical box. The form of the installation then compels the viewer into a ‘void’, a place to sit and contemplate, in the axial presence of “Maa Durga” – the source of energy, compassion and rejuvenation. This moment for reflection is intended to stir people into rethinking about the future of our children.

The overall experience of this art installation is to demonstrate a transcendental journey of freedom, agony and joy in childhood!

This temporal pavilion is a totally net-zero installation with all materials used 100% recyclable. The main pavilion is made of mild steel is to be dismantled and reused and the idols are made of scrap recycled metal will be retained as a sculpture for private collection or in art galleries. Other construction elements include bamboo and ply-board, also to be reused for other future pavilions. Apart from this other decorative elements are all crafted and re-used from newspaper.

It is the first time Abin Design Studio has designed a pavilion built for the “Durga Puja”, the biggest community festival of the City. It is a collaborative effort between people across various disciplines. The first to mention among them would be the local community or ‘Para’ (in Bengali) for entrusting us this huge responsibility and their immense amount of enthusiasm. Their passion and pride has been the driving factor for all of us. Apart from this the pavilion is conceptualized between our studio team of architects along with sculptors who designed the idols and accessories, and musicians who developed the background score. The whole setup has been executed by a team of more than 50 people, engineers and fabricators, artists, technicians of light and digital projection. The whole effort has been backed and supported by volunteers of the Behala Nutan Dal Club.

Images

Drawings

Credits:

Art Installation: Abin Design Studio
Design Team: Abin Chaudhuri, Arijit Dhar, Abhinaw Alok, Nancy Mandhan, Jibendra Basak, Toton Mondal & Sohomdeep Sinha Roy
3-D Modeling: Toton Mondal
Site and Project coordinator: Jiben Basak
Photographer: Suryan Dang, Abin Chaudhari, Sohomdeep Sinha Roy, Nancy Mandhan
Metal Fabricator: Shankar Sil and team.

In collaboration with:
Idols and Accessories: Narayan Sinha
Theme Music: Anupam Roy

In association with: Behala Nutan Dal

Share your comments

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent

Grid, Bangalore, by ma+rs

Grid, Bangalore, by ma+rs

Grid, Bangalore, by ma+rs, redefines institutional architecture by addressing the shortcomings of conventional office designs in the Indian context. Through a thoughtful fusion of form and function, the building seamlessly integrates public, private, and collective spaces across its distinct volumes.

Read More »
Thapar University

The Architectural Reshaping of Thapar University

Thapar University, DesignPlusArchitecture by was redefined by infusing traditional and modern elements. At the forefront stood the majestic learning laboratory buildings, a multi-story edifice adorned with a striking red stone facade.

Read More »
Book Launch | Making Chandigarh: A Vintage History

Book | Making Chandigarh: A Vintage History

“Making of Chandigarh: A Vintage History” co-authored by Sarbjit Bahga and Arun Mirchandani offers a unique pictorial journey through 575 vintage photographs, capturing the city’s evolution from 1950 to the 1990s. With a focus on the city-making process, the book, enriched with more than 50 drawings, serves as a comprehensive tribute to the photographers and the multitude of contributors who played a crucial role in shaping Chandigarh.

Read More »

The 100, Calicut, by Nestcraft Architecture

In this rural escape, The 100, Calicut, by Nestccraft Architecture, ensures a firm marriage between functionality and aesthetics and the planning suggests four bedrooms with attached toilets in a plinth area of 21OO square feet. The home and wabi-sabi landscape within this boundary facilitate meaningful life to 1OO souls.

Read More »
Pune

Pune – An Ever-Evolving Jewel

The essay traces the transformation of Pune from a quaint town to the vibrant city it is today. Mostly it is about the city’s aspects, which make it different and unique. The narrative reminisces about the city’s cultural richness and festive glory. It also points out a bit about the challenges posed by urbanization. But despite everything, Pune successfully retains its cultural essence, making it a city that preserves its glorious heritage while transforming.
This essay by Arpita Khamitkar is amongst the shortlisted essays.

Read More »

Reflection of Urban Inclusivity And Reality

The essay reflects on the author’s childhood memories centred around the Kohinoor Textile Mill. The mill, part of Mumbai’s Girangaon, played a significant role in the city’s industrial growth until the early 1980s. The essay fondly recalls the mill’s impact on the community, its cultural richness, and personal experiences. The author expresses concern about the loss of community identity and the impact of privatization, highlighting the need for sustainable urban development that preserves the city’s history. This essay by Pornima Buddhivant is amongst the shortlisted essays.

Read More »

WE ARE HIRING /

ArchitectureLive! is hiring for various roles, starting from senior editors, content writers, research associates, graphic designer and more..

 

PARTICIPATE /