Material Design/ Plant Colours/
Ancient Craft
PETITES-SERIES X FOUNDATION MARTELL
August-2023
"ORIDINAIRE EXTRA"
In August 2023, the Foundation Martell played host to an exhibition called "ALMANACH" that showcased the best of sustainable design. As part of this exhibition, we organized a workshop called "ORIDINAIRE EXTRA" which was a vibrant celebration of mindful design and conscious living.
Led by Parmeet, the workshop redefined luxury through a sustainable lens. Participants were able to delve into the beauty of nature's bounty and draw inspiration from the lush landscapes and abundant resources of the Charentes region. They learned how to curate natural pigments from local plant materials, agricultural remnants, and kitchen scraps to infuse new life into Indian-grown peace silks.
Through a series of hands-on activities, each participant played a role in crafting twelve exquisite silk bandanas, each a unique masterpiece of sustainable design.
Visitors were able to witness the transformative process firsthand and marvel at the beauty of local resources on the silk scarves. They could even take home their own bandana as a tangible reminder of the workshop experience.
The workshop showcased the best example of utilizing recycled waste foods to demonstrate local soil-to-soil systems. It was a celebration of sustainable design and conscious living that aimed to inspire visitors to explore a world where sustainability meets style, where every stitch and stroke tells a story of reverence for the earth.
In total, the workshop used natural pigments, hand-painted silk, and organic cotton to create 12 peace silk bandanas for the 12 workshop participants. The materials used included 20 plant materials, making it an incredible showcase of sustainable design practices.
![IMG_9145[1].JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c20fb6_de2d41f00e3641a5ac25e334936e871f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_2425,h_2425,q_90/c20fb6_de2d41f00e3641a5ac25e334936e871f~mv2.webp)
PETITES SERIES X FOUNDATION MARTELL
"ORIDINAIRE EXTRA"
Sep-2023
LOCAL PLANT BASED INKS
Fondation d'entreprise Martell launched an illuminating exhibition named Almanach, dedicated to showcasing local resources gathered through a research initiative exploring innovative methods for fostering a resilient and equitable future.
As a continuation of their dedication to nurturing creativity and sustainability, Fondation d'entreprise Martell hosted an invigorating eco-design workshop titled "Ordinaire Extra."
Led By me ( Parmeet) - Joined by Artist Natsuko Uchino, And students from Beaux-Arts, the workshop served as a vibrant celebration of mindful design and conscious living. Participants were encouraged to immerse themselves in the natural splendour surrounding them, drawing inspiration from the majestic oaks and resilient walnut trees.
During the workshop, an exciting upcycling endeavour unfolded as Fondation Martell Tote Bags were transformed into captivating tote bags, breathing new life into these materials and highlighting the potential for sustainable design innovation.
Together, we explored the art of eco-conscious design, utilizing forest residues and locally sourced plant dyes to infuse our creations with a touch of nature's essence. With each brushstroke and ink drop, we infused our work with a sense of vitality, weaving stories of sustainability and reverence for the environment.
From vibrant textile paintings to intricate journal designs, our eco-conscious ink served as a conduit for expressing our profound connection to the natural world. As part of the Foundation Martell Exhibition "ALMANACH," our workshop stood as a testament to the transformative power of creativity and the limitless possibilities of sustainable living.
I used a collection of locally foraged oak galls to create a mordant bath. This bath was used to pre-mordant the cloth before dyeing, helping the fabric take the dye and giving the most long-lasting fastness to light, washing, and wear.
To extract the beautiful rusty orange pigment, the walnut hulks were brewed in a giant stainless steel vat over flames. This process takes a few hours, and it's good to let it sit overnight and stew. Then strained and prepared in glass spray bottle!
I made a natural fabric paint using the same locally foraged oak galls. This time, they were reduced over heat and mixed with an iron modifier to create a heritage Medival ink recipe that dates back thousands of years. This ink would have been used with a quill or dipping pen. I mixed it with a plant starch binder to create a paint consistency suitable for fabric painting.
Participants had created pure free hand drawing designs to paint on the Foundation Martell Tote Bag. These designs were part of regenerative design and told the story of their research project with Oak ink and Almanch exhibition. The process could not be rushed and took some hours to fulfil.
The tote bags are now a part of the participants!