LuxeBook February 2022

that is not the only reason she took to cardboard like a fish to water; when Jain visited Zermatt, an eco-village in Switzerland, where sustainable practises were common, she realised the value of being environment friendly. The eco-conscious nature of the town inspired her to work on spreading awareness about the current buzzword, something that was uncommon 10 years ago. To Jain, sustainability is not just a word but a way of life. The artist is conscious about the longevity of products she purchases, its material, and the way it can be discarded. Sparks of inspiration So, her medium of choice, i.e., recycled cartons is a natural choice, according to her. Describing her art as fluid and tactile in nature, Jain also relies on what is happening around her to shape her work. Events like the pandemic prompted her to create ‘Restoration of Humanity,’ an artwork in which a human face is caged inside scaffolding. The installation signifies the healing of humanity as the world was on pause, like a building that is restored while being painted. Creating a niche Jain takes upwards of three months to finish one piece once the seed of an idea is planted. She starts working on whatever is at hand and develops things as she goes. Sometimes a work may take a whole new direction, but her urge to discover new things about her medium and the world around her keeps her going. Not limited to only wall art or sculptures, Jain also creates functional art. A stunning yet functional bench created from corrugated cardboard takes inspiration from the folds of a crumpled piece of paper. These unique pieces are produced by Jain in a limited series. Looking forward Currently, Jain is preparing for a show that takes viewers through her journey with cardboard using cartons. Excited about the art world’s digital shift, Jain stays optimistic about the future, and looks forward to creating her own digital artworks. The material-centric artist is also researching the viability of other mediums such as glass. Take for example, their pillar lights. Shaped like blocks of concrete with steel rods poking out, these minimalist lamps were inspired by the view from Suchak’s office of a building under-construction. Half-broken concrete pillars and metal rods served as inspiration for this unique collection of lights. “I think it’s more about how you’re feeling, if you’re happy and relaxed, then anything mundane can also be a source of inspiration,” muses the designer. Looking forward Suchak reveals that they are planning to introduce a new material into the Hatsu universe, one that they are still working on. The launch of a home accessories line is also on the cards. As of now, the plan is to make home décor items such as models made of cast aluminium. In the first week of March, Hatsu is doing a capsule collection of apparel, two shirts, four t-shirts and a pair of denims, about 8-9 pieces in total are set to launch. Embroidered and printed with iconic pieces of Hatsu’s furniture, the edit may or may not be open to public purchase, as Suchak plans to make it available only to the design community. When it comes to their current offerings, Suchak is determined to streamline operations, so patrons can have furniture, lights and carpets originating from the same design concept. Previously, each category had separate collection drops, but Suchak has decided 2022 will change that and unify the design language. A substantial change for the brand in the coming year is their expansion to international waters. Though they do export their designs, Hatsu plans to exhibit their wares in New York at WantedDesign in May 2022, something that Suchak is understandably excited about. Most importantly though, Suchak notes, “It’s very important for us that people feel free, creative, fresh when they are surrounded by our products, that’s the feeling we seek to create.” Bandana Jain Contemporary Artist & Sustainable Design Practitioner A n unconventional artist who works with an even more unconventional medium, Bandana Jain sees the world through the lens of nature, and works with cardboard to create extraordinary works. The artist has her own cardboard art studio in Worli, Mumbai. She has showcased her work at PhoenixPalladium’s Luxe Fest,The Quorum in Gurugram, and Tao Art Gallery in collaboration with Brinda Miller. Attracted to the unexplored side of cardboard, as well as its colour, texture and versatility, Jain first worked with this material in college. However, 40| L U X E B O O K | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 | L U X E B O O K |41