Meher Khanna
KHAZANA
Prompt: Over the next five weeks, students will design and create a 3D object or artefact that reflects their connection to a community or expresses an aspect of their identity, beliefs, or personality. The object can be a sculpture, a functional tool, or a body extension (such as an accessory, garment, or prosthesis). The aim is for the object to visually express feelings of belonging or connection to a particular community, whether chosen or inherent.
The Indian/Hindu community is shaped by a long history of religious philosophy, regional diversity, and social structures that emphasise interdependence. Hinduism is not a single unified system but a collection of practices and beliefs that vary across regions, languages, and traditions, yet remain connected through shared ideas such as dharma (duty), ritual practice, and respect for lineage. Community life often extends beyond the individual to include family networks, festivals, and collective rituals, where everyday actions are tied to cultural meaning. Material objects- such as jewellery, ritual items, and symbolic markings play an important role in expressing identity, protection, and continuity within the community.
My connection to the Indian/Hindu community is both inherited and continuously evolving, shaped by everyday rituals, family relationships, and sensory memories that feel instinctive rather than learned. It exists in small, repeated moments- touching elders’ feet, wearing gold passed down through generations, noticing a nazar mark placed quietly for protection, or hearing conversations about kundli during important life decisions. These practices are not always consciously questioned, yet they create a deep sense of grounding and continuity. Being away from home has made me more aware of how these traditions are embedded in me, turning them into markers of identity that connect me to a larger cultural lineage even when I am physically distant.
My design Concept focused on Gold and its importance in the Indian Culture. With Indian Textiles, like chikankari, coming into play and spiritual symbols, I wanted to create a modern twist on a very staple and necessary thing in an Indian household. The box itself will be made out of wood and will have a chipboard laser-printed design stuck onto its sides and top to create a rich contrast in colour and texture.