Discussion: Translucent Gems for India - An Interview with Markus Heinsdorff
“The Year of Germany in India” is winding down. Among its features was the “Indo-German Urban Mela”, a collection of 16 pavilions that spent ten days each at five of India’s largest cities. The festival’s theme is “StadtRäume – City Spaces”, and it has shown a light on the impact and challenges of rapid urbanisation in the cities of both countries. The pavilions were designed by Munich-based artist Markus Heinsdorff and function as exhibition and presentation spaces for conferences and cultural events. Their facades possess the crystalline forms of polished gems and celebrate fabric, one of India’s important traditions. Following stops in Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, and Delhi the pavilions are on display in Pune until January 20, 2013. In the following interview Markus Heinsdorff explains his design concept and discusses the choice of materials and sustainability, as well as physical presence and translucency.
