Label Arati showcases “Natural Dye Stories” at Bangalore International Centre to celebrate the completion of 25 years in 2020. Due to covid restrictions and lockdowns, it has been scheduled from the 30th of April to the 3rd of May at the Bangalore International Centre, Domlur.
Embellished/Printed/Painted/woven was initially conceived to showcase the work of Label Arati which was completed 25 years in 2o20. Covid restrictions did not allow these plans to see the light of day and given the uncertainty, Arati of Label Arati rethought this project and realized that since she started, there are obviously many more who have worked in this field with interesting results. So she started collecting unstitched pieces, like sarees and stoles done with natural dyes. To expand this repertoire she commissioned pieces with different types of embroidery on natural dye fabric. Added to this were the kalamkari pieces and the shibori techniques done on different kinds of fabric from organic cotton to, silk and chiffon. She added woven pieces with naturally dyed yarn on fabrics like hemp added to the variety and discovered so much talent in the field. Hence she decided that she had to showcase all this work and talent in an exhibition with more than 300 pieces that could be seen and appreciated by the discerning eyes of the admirers of such good work and that is how “Natural Dye Stories by Label Arati” came into being.
This exhibition will be on display at the Bangalore International Centre from 30th April to 3 May from 10 am to 8 pm.
Shibori
A resist dyeing technique, the word Shibori is from the verb root Shibori, in Japanese which means to wring/squeeze/press. There are different patterns like Itajme Arashi, Kanoko, Miura, Kumo, and Nui. Four of these patterns are on display on the stoles created by Aranya natural. The oldest examples of the technique have been found in Peru and in China and India. In spite of it being a meticulous process with intricate designs, it can spring some surprises. In the Edo period when certain classes of people could not wear silk, or change their wardrobe, shibori was used to reinvent old clothing.
Leheriya
The word refers to the waves of the ocean. Practiced largely in Rajasthan, it is a complex method of rolling, folding, and rerolling. With chemical colors, multiple colors can be achieved in the fabric. In natural dyes, it is not as easy and the exhibition displays a simple leheriya.
There will be workshops during the exhibition which will demonstrate the Mata ni Pachedi and kalamkari techniques of painting with natural dyes for a limited number of participants who register for the workshop. There is also a workshop on Natural dyeing using Natural Mordant plus an Eco print workshop for home dyers and printers with dye kits provided.
The intention going forward is to do a permanent exhibition of a limited number of pieces in natural dye techniques. As such viewers can convey an expression of interest in pieces they wish to buy. If it does not form part of the permanent collection, they will be given the option to buy it.
There will be a sales counter of naturally dyed pieces at the exhibition. The gallery space will showcase work from the Label Arati in garments, sarees, and home furnishing, done over 25 years. There will also be art pieces done in natural dyes including an embroidery collection by designer Asif Shaikh.
The exhibition also showcases rugs, masks in natural dyes, a recycle/reuse collection using naturally dyed fabric remnants, and all the fabric waste from the Label Arati, rewoven into the fabric. Block print samples used over the years at the label will be on display as well.
The area will be decorated with greenery and stone design features from Greenhouse, in keeping with the theme of the exhibition, and will be for sale.
The purpose of this exhibition is to showcase the beauty of natural dyes, the many ways in which they can enrich our lives, and though it is a water-intensive process, the colors remain beautiful and intense even over 25 years as seen in the Label Arati samples and hence sustainable in the long run.
The recycled pieces are an example of how ingeniously even old pieces can be refurbished.
Venue: Bangalore International Centre, Domlur, Bangalore
Dates: April 30th – May 3rd, 2022
Time: 10 AM – 8 PM