The Italian Embassy Cultural Centre, in collaboration with the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), has brought a captivating exhibition to Delhi NCR titled ‘Objects Between the Lines,’ which offers a unique exploration of the fascinating connection between literature and design. Curated by Andrea Anastasio, Director of the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre, and Domitilla Dardi, historian and design curator, the exhibition is open at KNMA, Noida,
This innovative showcase delves into how objects transcend their functional roles in literary works to become central characters in storytelling. Domitilla Dardi emphasizes how these objects, either imaginative inventions born from the fertile minds of writers or familiar items that define the mood and atmosphere of a narrative, can evoke more than words ever could. Andrea Anastasio complements this idea by incorporating Indian literature, art, and design, creating a rich dialogue between Italian and Indian creative traditions.
The vision of ‘Objects Between the Lines’ is to create a space where viewers are encouraged to engage with art, design, literature, and cinema as interconnected streams.
“It aims to inspire a seamless exploration of these disciplines, inviting audiences to reflect on issues of daily life as well as profound questions in human history and civilization. This approach seeks to unify these diverse elements into a continuous stream of consciousness, fostering a holistic understanding of culture and creativity,” explains Anastasio.
The exhibition unfolds in three interconnected sections. ‘Found in Translation’ focuses on objects brought to life from literary imagination, transforming narrative descriptions into physical designs. ‘Scenarios’ highlights scenes from literature reinterpreted across various media, providing fresh perspectives on familiar stories. ‘Free Associations’ pairs iconic Italian design objects with excerpts from literary masterpieces, celebrating the interplay between written narratives and material culture.
This remarkable collaboration is an extension of KNMA’s Art X Design initiative, emphasizing the intersection of art, design, and storytelling. Apurva Kackar, Director, Institutional Affair & Outreach, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, “This collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute is an extension of KNMA’s Art X Design initiative, deepening its exploration of the intersections between art, design, and storytelling. Aligned with KNMA’s vision, this initiative seeks to establish a space where diverse perspectives and disciplines intersect, inspiring fresh approaches to understanding art and its significance in society.”
Anastasio adds, “Multidisciplinary approach is key to engage with the global context at times the world is facing many criticalities. It brings together different languages, preparing the ground for new stories to be narrated. Sharing the countless narratives of humanities and its civilisations means also celebrating diversity and multiple perspectives. The Italian Embassy Cultural Centre in New Delhi finds in KNMA a meaningful interlocutor, acknowledging the validity of the precious work it does, while embarking in a shared cultural vision.”
The exhibition features a stellar lineup of contributors from Italy and India, including Andrea Anastasio, Achille Castiglioni, Vico Magistretti, Ettore Sottsass, Studio Formafantasma, and Martand Khosla, among others. It bridges historical artifacts, private collections, and specially commissioned works, drawing from literary references that span luminaries such as Italo Calvino, Primo Levi, and Kiran Desai.
Accompanying the exhibition is a dynamic schedule of educational and outreach programs designed to engage diverse audiences. These include a conference on literature and objects running from mid-January to late February, a screening of Deepa Mehta’s acclaimed trilogy “Fire-Water-Earth” at the Italian Cultural Centre, and workshops tailored for children, students, and visually impaired participants. A special collaboration with The Design Village in Noida has resulted in four featured works, while masterclasses on the anthropology of objects and literature will take place at Delhi University and Jamia Millia Islamia University. The President of the Italian Design Museum will also present a talk on material culture at the Italian Cultural Centre in February. These initiatives aim to deepen engagement with the themes of the exhibition and foster meaningful dialogue across different communities.
‘Objects Between the Lines’ invites visitors on an extraordinary journey where literature and design converge. By reimagining objects as storytellers, the exhibition transforms the way we perceive everyday items and their roles in shaping the narratives of our lives.