NeuVé* (pronounced as 'new way') is a innovative concept dealing with experience design and interactivity by the use of elements of colour, form, pattern, structure and construction in relation to Indian graphic art traditions connected to today's reality and technologies.
The digital program connects the virtuality of digital technology to the physical reality of nowadays life, in this case Indian graphic arts and crafts. Users get insight in how constructions can exist and have the benefit of this awareness on any level associated. The interactive process makes users aware of evolutionary processes on many levels by playing and experimenting.
Building the NeuVé*-environment
Sharing a main vision on interactivity made me propose Nikhil Bhardwaj a partnership on this interactive environment.
We developed the NeuVé* concept; the interactive process between two designers turned out to be the main drive in the concept and continued in full speed during a period of 4 weeks.
Experiences are model for interactivity and interaction design
Perspex shapes were fabricated; they were derived from the Pliable Product - Plooibaar Product - Formowalny Produkt. Working through his network of workshops, which is a typical way of having things made and done in India, Nikhil was taking care of this. The shapes would be part of environment and workshops and could be used to produce patterns or shapes on the wall.
De sign painter wanted to have a design on paper to reproduce the compilation on the wall. Shapes were offered to him to play with but he did not want to interpret himself. After having two designs done though I think he might have tried in the end. In a next edition this could be developed to a next stage.
As the environment should have the atmosphere of a celebration, we decided to have stickers hanging in the space. Combining hanging and the interactive use of stickers turned out in
the use of acrylic sheets with the restforms of the stickers.
Material to be used was left on the floor as an invitation (interactivity).
Logo designed by
Nikhil Bhardwaj 2004.
Invitations and businesscards were made, as the Art Hive did not provide this service. As for hanging the banners we were lucky to have permission of some authority of the colony to put the signs, the guards would have taken them off otherwise.
The situation turned the other way around; now banners and signs were guarded.
After the presentation they were taken down by the guards.
During the presentation people started to interact, they played with the digital programme that was running. They started to outline the physical shapes and glue stickers on the prepared plywood. The results turned out to be playful.
Preparation & goal
After a week orientating about possibilities, designing on the computer and getting familiar with the pattern of Delhi-life I have started to get more concrete with material. It was already something to find out what I would need and where to get it.
Some subjects, techniques and materials that had my attention were: silk, silkscreen, woodcarving, painting of signs - the design in the street (mostly handmade, as one would say in Holland).
As shops were open the whole week I could order plywood on Sunday and 5 sheets were fixed on the walls of the studio.
The aim was to realize an interactive environment dealing with circles, forms, patterns and structures in relation to the Indian culture.
Interaction would consist of the cooperation between several parties in the realisation of the environment.
Presenting a processlike approach in building up an environment to an Indian audience was a challenge.
Circles, patterns & structures As being a universal symbol, the circle was selected. Circles are literally the starting point for communication and exchange in the environment. Everyone understands this symbol in a way, even if one cannot read or communication by spoken language is impossible. On the second hand, more focussed on the local situation, it has special significance in various Indian and Christian religious traditions. Structures and patterns are basic when arranging and ordening chaos, as in this case the surroundings, i.e. stepping into this new situation and environment. Every first thing is new, but after two, three times they are likely to become a pattern. These rhythms appear also in drawing.
Being aware of the fact that the Indian tradition of imaging is quite narrative a more abstract way of imaging turned out to be a challenge to see how the interaction would succeed. Cross-cultural meetings on the communication of imaging appeared.
Playing parties
– Leidi Haaijer: Dutch monumental designer, working with concepts for communication and interaction through (visual) artefacts.
– Nikhil Bhardwaj, National Institute of Design, faculty of communication design and specialised as an exhibition designer, worked as a team member on Khalsa Heritage museum project (a museum on the Sikh-culture and expected to become one of the biggest musea in India at that time).
– a sign painter, specialty: nowadays tradition on producing notices etc. in Indian towns.
– children from Bloom Public school and schools visiting the environment.
– the public during a three day presentation.
Delivering a construction on paper, the painter reproduced his interpretation on the board. As freedom in interpretation of colors was permitted he also took the initiative in merging fields. His interpretation of the white was space. He liked the job and wanted actually a design for 1m2. That would mean a well-paid job of course. Having his card two days later, he presented himself as painter & artist, doing all kind of surfaces.
Developing the publication NeuVé* which will contain a description of the interactive process in any kind of format, like environment, installation, workshop and so on. The publication is meant to held then four languages: Hindi, English, Polish and Dutch. Meant to be distributed in India, Holland and UK to start with to generate new interactions in public space.
Presenting the NeuVé*concept to organizations and individuals all over the world to trigger opportunities on interactive projects.
