It is the largest congregation of the best in architecture, interiors and décor. The platform for India Design ID 2018 comprised four verticals —ID Exhibit, ID Symposium, ID Talks and ID Satellite. These four segments bring together prominent design experts and international design visionaries to share their experiences, knowledge and aesthetic understanding through exhibitions, installations and discussions.
Aashti Bhartia, vice chairperson, Ogaan Media Pvt. Ltd. spoke to Guardian 20 about the initiative’s sixth edition. She said, “Each year at India Design ID we attempt to curate the best in design. From global brands showcasing at ID Exhibit to design gurus sharing their visions at ID Symposium, it’s a week that inspires and brings together the fraternity with an aim to increase the business of design. Architects, designers and brands collaborate on products and spaces at the fair, and while walking around the exhibit, it’s a joy to discover these partnerships. There’s so much to take in, that anyone making a home or with an interest in décor, will have a lot to explore and know what’s available all at one location.”
India Design ID 2018 featured renowned brands and designers who were showcasing some of their best products and were involved in an exchange of dialogues on various aspects of décor and design in the form of these elements:
ID Symposium
This was a three-day action-packed event that was a part of India Design ID in New Delhi. It was a great platform for architects, design luminaries and creative influencers from India and across the world to participate in panel discussions, interactive sessions, debates and dialogues centered around design. The stellar panel had acclaimed international designers and artists like Ross Lovegrove, Japanese architect Takaharu Tezuka; Ilse Crawford, the designer behind New York’s famous Soho House and Ron Arad, an Israeli industrial designer, artist, and architect. The contemporary artist and cyborg activist, Neil Harbisson, best known for having an antenna implanted in his skull and for being the world’s first-ever officially recognised cyborg artist by the US government spoke on 22 February.
The ID Symposium witnessed a range of Indian artists and designers, from the master couturier Sabyasachi Mukherjee and interior designers Susanne Khan and Simone Arora, to art collectors like Roshini Vadehra and Swapan Seth, along with numerous other speakers who are known for pushing boundaries in their respective fields.
There was an Art Lounge, which was located outside the ID Symposium and had works curated by Roshini Vadehra. Artworks from three of Delhi’s best galleries—Vadehra Art Gallery, Nature Morte and Gallery Espace—were showcased at the Art Lounge, where design and art complement each other in a live space.
ID Exhibit
Numerous designers and brands collaborated to showcase the finest in home décor, across categories like furniture, accessories, kitchens, furnishing, lighting and plenty more. For furniture and décor designs at ID 2018, high-end brands like Beyond Design, Iqrup+ Ritz, Ravish Vohra Home, Portside Cafe, Klove, and Sarita Handa made their presence felt. For surface styling popular brands like Cocoon Fine Rugs, Jaipur Rugs and Obeetee Carpets showcased their latest lines. Like previous editions, ID 2018 also showcased collaborations at the decoration and design pavilions. Interior designer and architect, Kohelika Kohli’s wooden pavilion for Artius (premium wood windows and doors manufacturer in India) and graphic designer Divya Thakur’s new spin to the Park Café was a must see.
New Exhibitors who had participated at this edition included Sans Souci (lighting), Roche Bobois, Auxiliaries (lighting), White Domus (lighting), MINI (automobile), La Sorogeeka (furniture), WITHIN (furniture), East County Co (furniture), Himatsingka Group (home textiles), Rasa (soft furnishings), QUEO (bathware), Epson, Urban Ladder (furniture and décor), World of Stones and Solid Bench (furniture).
Colour of the Year, the Asian Paints Pavilion and their cafe was an innovative space where the team presented the new colour trends of the year for all to gather home and décor inspiration.
Young designers and food pop-ups were also featured at the ID Exhibit this time. At the entrance of the fair there was a line-up of pagodas displaying fresh brands. There were designer installation pop-ups at various corners of the venue as well. There were many coffee and food stops, with a White Rhino beer cafe on the grassy mound.
This year, the ID Interiors booth was a stylish check-in space. There was a design advisory from a team of senior stylists and designers for anyone who wants a guide to the fair. The ID Interiors booth located right in the middle of the fairgrounds was attached to the lovely Ralph Lauren Home VIP Lounge. The Style Cell was curated and designed by Elle Décor’s creative director, Sonia Dutt.
Speaking about the exhibition Deepikka Jindal, Executive Creative Director and MD Arttd’inox & JSL architecture limited, says “Arttd’inox has always upheld a royal aestheticism that blends contemporary styles with pristine charm. It exudes classic essence juxtaposed with modern conveniences. The exhibition offers an ideal platform to showcase this unique artistic prowess.”