Studio Mumbai – In between the sun and the moon: Former exhibition at DAC
Exhibition
Jan 14 - Mar 6, 2016
The exhibition Studio Mumbai – In between the Sun and the Moon at the Danish Architecture Center in 2016 presents Studio Mumbai’s place-based architecture through local materials, craft traditions and 1:1 prototypes.
India. The country that evokes reminiscences of colorful saris, spicy curries and chaotic cities. Yet apart from the Taj Mahal, Indian architecture might not evoke as many associations. With this exhibition we tried to change that, when India’s leading architectural firm, Studio Mumbai, guested The Danish Architecture Center with the exhibition Studio Mumbai – In between the sun and the moon.
In the midst of the cold, grey, Danish winter you could escape on a sensuous trip to India! What does Indian contemporary architecture look like? What traditions does it build on? Visitors could experience the Indian architectural firm Studio Mumbai that challenges the contradictions between tradition and modernity, city and countryside and insists on the importance of genius loci (spirit of the place).
More craftsmen than architects
India is the world’s third largest economy and the world’s second most populous country. In the exhibition the founder of Studio Mumbai, Bijoy Jain shared his view of India and gave an insight into the philosophy, inspirations and workflow of Studio Mumbai – something that could challenge our Western outlook. For example the company consists mostly of artisans who, together with a few architects, prepare prototypes in scale 1:1 which gave a totally different way of testing things.
The spirit of the place in focus
Studio Mumbai has especially worked with housing in India and their work is closely linked to the local context and the genius loci. They focus on the use of local materials, craftsmanship, building techniques, etc. An understanding of the landscape and the specific climatic conditions is crucial for them in order to be able to create buildings that fit the local context – eg buildings that can withstand the heavy monsoons.
The Land of contrasts
Studio Mumbai is located between east and west, the sun and moon – and to them opposites are not problematic. Rather, they are an end in themselves. It is in the tension between poles – between tradition and modernity, urban and rural – that interesting and exciting spaces arise. It is in this space that the perspectives cross-pollinate and fertilize each other.
Exhibitions Today
See Our Current Exhibitions
What was Studio Mumbai – In between the Sun and the Moon?
Studio Mumbai – In between the Sun and the Moon was an exhibition at the Danish Architecture Center about the Indian practice Studio Mumbai and its place-based contemporary architecture.
When did the exhibition run at DAC?
The exhibition ran from 14 Jan to 6 Mar 2016.
Who is the founder of Studio Mumbai?
Bijoy Jain is the founder of Studio Mumbai.
What characterises Studio Mumbai’s working process?
The studio is consisting mostly of craftspeople who, together with a small number of architects, develop full-scale (1:1) prototypes.
What does “spirit of place” mean?
It refers to a focus on local context through local materials, craft traditions and building techniques, alongside attention to landscape and climate conditions.
What should I know if I only read one thing?
Studio Mumbai at DAC (14 Jan–6 Mar 2016) presented a practice grounded in craft, local materials and 1:1 prototyping to shape architecture rooted in place and climate.