Nagaland designer showcases craftsmanship at Venice event

DIMAPUR — Aku Zeliang, principal designer of Cane Concept and founder of Urra Design, participated in the Homo Faber event in Venice, Italy, on August 31.

Aku, in collaboration with Gunjan Gupta, represented the craftsmanship of northeast India through a project called “The Tokri Chair,” according to a press statement.

He described Homo Faber as a cultural movement that celebrates creativity and contemporary craftsmanship biennially. He mentioned that it is curated by the Michelangelo Foundation in Geneva, with the aim of promoting a more humane, inclusive, and sustainable future by celebrating the creations of human hands.

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This event brings together skilled artisans, designers, and makers from around the world to exhibit and showcase their exceptional craftsmanship and innovative designs.

For “The Tokri Chair,” local artisans transformed ordinary bamboo baskets into a stunning handwoven chair, elevating traditional craftsmanship and demonstrating the potential of everyday objects as metaphors in design.

During the event, Aku had the chance to showcase his work, participate in workshops and discussions, and engage with fellow attendees from diverse backgrounds. The show was organised by the Swiss Richemont Group, which also owns Cartier.