With Christmas Day galloping towards us at a rate of knots, I thought I’d bring you a Christmas tree with a difference. It’s this year’s Christmas tree installation at the Victoria and Albert Museum and it’s quite literally a tree of light.
The tree was deigned by by Sahil Bagga and Sarthak Sengupta, who have a design studio in Delhi. Their installation represents the Kalpataru, a wish fulfilling tree of life in Indian mythology.
It’s a celebration of hope, prosperity and ecology, and also of illumination in its literal sense.
The framework is made from handcrafted beaten brass.
The paintings, using traditional motifs, are by artists from the southern Indian state of Kerala.
Just as we’ve developed the custom of decorating a tree for Christmas, it’s a common practice to decorate a tulsi, or holy basil, plant during traditional Diwali celebrations, and the installation is meant to reflect this custom.
Kalpataru is part of the V&A India Festival which includes the Fabric of India exhibition and the Al Thani collection of Indian jewellery. You can see it in the main entrance hall at the Victoria and Albert Museum until 12th night (6th January).
Very interesting, worth considering – and no pine needles everywhere!
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Yes, I’m sure it was the lack of pine needles that made the V&A choose it 🙂
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Beautiful, love the paintings on it.
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Yes, the flowers and insects and birds are really lovely.
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I LOVE this installation, the colours glow so beautifully. (I am a little worried, however, by the idea of Christmas galloping at the rate of knots…?)
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Sorry about the mixed metaphor! It got your attention, though, didn’t it?
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