Objects between the lines

The Italian Culture Institute of New Delhi (IIC) , in collaboration with the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) , proudly presents “Objects between the lines”, an exhibition curated by Andrea Anastasio, Director of the IIC, and Domitilla Dardi, historian and design curator. Scheduled to open from 22 December 2024 to February 2025 at KNMA, Noida, this unique showcase explores the deep connection between literary texts and everyday objects, shedding light on how objects in literature transcend their roles as mere background details to become central characters in unfolding narratives.

The exhibition, conceived by Dardi, focuses on objects described in literature that either emerge as inventions—products of the vivid imaginations of writers who inadvertently become “designers”—or as everyday items that define the atmosphere of a story with remarkable precision, often surpassing descriptive language in their evocative power. In some cases, the literary text inspires associations with iconic objects from design history, materializing the mental imagery sparked by reading. Anastasio enriches this dialogue by incorporating works of Indian literature, art, and design, creating a cultural exchange between Italian and Indian storytelling and craftsmanship. Produced by the Italian Cultural Institute in New Delhi, “Objects Between the Lines” celebrates the interplay between two creative disciplines—literature and design—from Italy and India. The exhibition is structured into three sections: Found in Translation, highlights objects born from literary imagination, brought to life by designers who interpret and transform these descriptions into physical creations; Scenarios, explores scenes from literature, interpreted across multiple media by contemporary designers; and Free Associations, features iconic pieces from Italian design history, paired with descriptions from literary masterpieces, forming a dialogue between the written word and physical form.

The exhibition features an impressive lineup of historical artifacts, on loan from public institutions and private collections, displayed alongside specially commissioned works by Italian and Indian designers. Featured contributors include Andrea Anastasio, Gae Aulenti, Matilde Cassani, Achille Castiglioni, Riccardo Dalisi, Arina Endo, Luca Galofaro, Giulio Iacchetti, Giovanni Innella, Martand Khosla, Ugo La Pietra, Lemonot, Giovanni Levanti, Vico Magistretti, Gianluca Malgeri, Enzo Mari, Bruno Munari, Ernesto Pirovano, Paolo Portohesi, Margherita Rui, Richard Sapper, Sissi, Ettore Sottsass, Nanni Strada, Studio Formafantasma, Studio Ossidiana, Paolo Ulian, Marco Zanuso. Literary texts by: Ludovico Ariosto, Massimo Bontempelli, Vitaliano Brancati, Aldo Buzzi, Italo Calvino, Achille Campanile, Kiran Desai, Carlo Emilio Gadda, Natalia Ginzburg, Guido Gozzano, Giacomo Leopardi, Primo Levi, Homer, Aldo Palazzeschi, Elio Pecora, Luigi Pirandello, Marco Polo, Gianni Rodari, Alberto Savinio, Trilussa, Sandro Veronesi, Vitruvius. Apurva Kackar, Director, Institutional Affair & Outreach, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, “This collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute is an extension of KNMA’s Art X Design initiative, deepening its exploration of the intersections between art, design, and storytelling. Aligned with KNMA’s vision, this initiative seeks to establish a space where diverse perspectives and disciplines intersect, inspiring fresh approaches to understanding art and its significance in society.” Andrea Anastasio, Director, Italian Cultural Institute New Delhi, adds, ‘Multidisciplinary approach is key to engage with the global context at times the world is facing many criticalities. It brings together different languages, preparing the ground for new stories to be narrated. Sharing the countless narratives of humanities and its civilisations means also celebrating diversity and multiple perspectives. The Italian Embassy Culture Centre in New Delhi finds in KNMA a meaningful interlocutor, acknowledging the validity of the precious work it does, while embarking in a shared cultural vision.

Accompanying the exhibition will be a rich schedule of educational and outreach programs designed to engage a diverse audience. Highlights include a conference on literature and objects, scheduled to take place between January 15 and February 22, as well as a screening of Deepa Mehta’s acclaimed trilogy Fire-Water-Earth at the Italian Cultural Centre, highlighting connections to props and manuscripts. Additional programming includes workshops tailored for children and students, including a special session for visually impaired children at the ICC focusing on drawing objects. A workshop is also planned with students from The Design Village in Noida, who have contributed four works featured in the exhibition. Masterclasses on anthropology of objects and literature will be held at Delhi University and at Jamia Millia Islamia University. The President of the Italian Design Museum in Milan will talk at a public meeting at the ICC on February 17 on objects and material culture. Particular emphasis will be given to the relationship between objects and poetry. These initiatives aim to deepen engagement with the themes of the exhibition and foster meaningful dialogue across different communities.

The exhibition catalogue is published by Dario Cimorelli Editore.