Translocated Making is a design research project conducted by Diplomat designers Ashley Hall with Matthew Kavanagh in the Rann of Kutch and Ahmedabad in India. The focus of the research was on studying cultural transfer between different socio-spatial groups. The study looked at how designers identify and use cultural influences and how craftsmen interpret and decode designs from different cultures.

Nirona

Nirona was designed by Matthew Kavanagh in London and taken by Ashley Hall in a sealed envelope to Nirona where Bhavik Bhavchaya used his wooden lacquer and turning skills to interpret the design. Bhavik is a member of the Wadi Kohlis, a semi nomadic clan of Meghwals and Meghirs living on the edge of the white Rann of Katchchh salt desert. The family originated from Pakistan over the nearby border and have practised their lacquer and wood turning craft for at least seven generations having lived around Nirona for over half a century.

Research Design Ashely Hall / Product design Matthew Kavanagh / Craftsman Bhavik Bhavchaya and Yunas Bhai

Location Nirona and Bhuj, Rann of Katchchh, Gujarat, India

Copperking

Copperking was an experiment in extended cultural transfer from the inspiration of an original African wooden stool through to the collaborative Ironmen stools designed and made by Diplomat through to absorbing local creative cultural influences from Ahmedabad.  The final design traced form and cultural influences from Ghana through to the UK and India. The collaborations was made with Omprakash Kothari who is a master bronze foundryman and has owned the All-Win foundry for twenty-nine years. The foundry originated when his family’s business of supplying engineering components required greater flexibility and faster supply rates and they began their own foundry based on by using the Docra casting process. 

Research Design Ashley Hall / Product Design Ashley Hall / Craftsman Omprakash Kothari at Allwin/Copperking foundry

Location Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Luhar Lamp

Research design Ashley Hall / Product design Cairn Young / Craftsman

Ashram

The Ashram stool came about via a chance encounter with the papier-mache craftsmen making bowls in the Ghandi Ashram on the banks of the Sabarmati River. Inspired by the paper making process and recycled handmade cotton paper produced at the Ashram Ashley designed an experimental paper stool that was made by Arvind Chowda from the Gramshree NGO to test the material and process.

Research Design Ashley Hall / Product Design Ashley Hall / Craftsman Arvind Chowda

Location Gramshree, Ghandi Ashram, Ahmedabad, India