Kashish Jain
Textile as Companion
During the process of grieving
This project delves into the therapeutic potential of textiles in navigating and processing grief. Grief is a deeply personal and individualized experience. It impacts the entirety of a person’s being mental, emotional, physical, and behavioral. as individuals cope with grief uniquely, many struggle to find ways to process it and accept the reality of the life. Extended grief potentially leads to prolonged grief disorder, which requires psychological intervention like psychotherapies and medication. the outcome of this project aims to harness the touch and creative process inherent in textile creation as a tool for acknowledging and comprehending grief,
potentially offering solace and support to individuals enduring the complexities of mourning.
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This project was carried out at the The Design Village, Noida, India as a Final Design Project under the mentorship of Vatsal Agarwal, Associate Dean Executive Affairs.
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Displayed at Lines of Flight, Felicitation ceremony 2024 at Bikaner House, Delhi and 'INTERDEPENDENCE: Designing Relationships' at Salone del Mobile, Milan Fair, Italy - Milan Design Week 2024.
The understanding of grief echoes the sentiment of my own experience of profound loss and it isn’t something that vanishes completely, instead it evolves with time and becomes integrated into life. I realized that processing grief is crucial for emotional well-being, allowing oneself to navigate through emotions and changes is the essential part of the healing journey.
In this project I started finding solutions through textiles that help people to connect from their memories, look for new perspectives, adapt to a change of the new reality and discover ways to honor their loved ones.​ My intent isn’t solely to evoke past memories but also
to foster discussions surrounding grief and its intricate processes, seeking to open meaningful dialogue and understanding about this profound human experience.
Textiles possess a unique ability to translate emotions, absorb scents, and capture touch, transforming intangible experiences and feelings into tangible objects. They transform into sensory vessels that capture the essence of emotions.
They serve as a link between the tactile and intangible, providing a tangible representation of the fragile aspects of the human experience.
The framework provides structured assistance, resources, and strategies, offering support for individuals navigating the intricate journey of grief.it serves as a guide, facilitating a comprehensive and organised approach to coping with loss, providing valuable tools and assistance throughout the challenging process of mourning and healing.
The framework encompasses of 6 stages that deal with the grief at every stage.
Each stage is designed to address different aspects of erief and provide individuals with the tools they need to move through this challenging journey.
Stage 01
Stage 02
Stage 03
Stage 04
Stage 05
Stage 06
Initial
Conversations
Associations
with Textiles
Design Development
Material Selection
Making Artefact
Process Reflection
User experiment
while respecting the privacy concerns of the partakers, i refrained from detailing the entire process and personal insights within the project.
Partaker 01
a canvas unfolds in the frame loom. Threads, like paints turns into the hues of affection,
a story of love and laugh, a heartfelt reflection of the bond of father and daughter.
Partaker 02
siblinghood, a narrative of sweet moments and bitter holds.
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together they dance, a duet of hearts, with chapters of laughter and occasional sparks.
Partaker 03
a story of youngest daughter and father, in the family ties, a bond that prevails
searching for the feeling of hug and the comfort through textile.
Partaker 04
in the realm of memories, playing with blocks of colors.
each hue is a reminder of a mother’s grace, shows a vibrant palette.
User feedback
Discovering connections with textiles, transitioning from paper to memories and thoughts, proves to be an engaging process.
"I really enjoyed being a part of this project. It was very personal and emotional experience for me as it remind me of the happy moments with my dad. "
"Before this session i felt nothing towards him. But these sessions made me feel the emotions, i feel the process is working however there should be more sessions. Honestly i dont remember things but this process helped me to remember all those moments. "
“ I don’t know how to express this but at the onset i want to appreciate you for choosing such a sensitive way of approaching this through textile. all are sessions were so emotional and I really understood how textiles and weaves could take you to introspection of feelings of grief, pain and how through this one could express their emotions.when I spoke to you about weaving a blanket in memory of my dad where i could feel his warmth, his protective nature, his presence. i never knew that that I could feel so emotional throughout this journey. “
“ I find it difficult to "talk" aout the complex emotions involved in my healing process.
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so i am relieved to be introduced to a process that can incorporate colour, texture and form to "open up"
Professional feedbacks from :
01 Melanie Flory
Associate director of research at the helen hamlyn center for design, Royal college of art, London, England, UK
Specialities
Cognitive psychology, Cognitive neuroscience, neurobiology, system thinking, inclusive design, system oriented design, research culture and assessment development
02 Gerrit Uittenbogaard & Sanne Jansen
Fashion and Textiles department head of Royal Academy of Art, The Hague, Netherlands.
Specialities
Fashion and Textile Industry
Displayed at :
15 December, 2023
Lines of Flight, Felicitation ceremony at Bikaner House, Delhi
16 - 21 April, 2024
'INTERDEPENDENCE: Designing Relationships' at Salone del Mobile, Milan Fair, Italy - Milan Design Week 2024