The “Etagi Design Collaborative Pencil” — a public-space sculpture in Bangalore
Prashanth Nandiprasad is an independent Architecture & Design Professional based in Bangalore. He specializes in Architectural Design, Interior Design, Product Design, Furniture Design and Master Planning. He is the Principal Architect & Designer at Etagi Design Collaborative.
Etagi Design Collaborative is a multidisciplinary design firm based in Bangalore, India. The firm collaborates and uses an inclusive design process to give a unique project experience to its clients.
Prashanth also is part of the Visiting Faculty at Rashtreeya Vidyalaya College of Architecture — where he also hosts a Product Design Elective Studio, aligning with college requirements.
Unique space for expression — a child’s point of view...
I reached out to Prashanth for a story when I saw his post on the “Etagi Design Collaborative Pencil” — a 3D larger-than-life replica of a pencil — meant to attract children around the location and offer them space to doodle, draw and express themselves.
Here’s Prashanth giving us a background story on the project.
Here’s my first question, Prashanth — how did this project take shape?
The EDC pencil was respectfully inspired by a similar public installation at IDC School of Design at IIT Bombay, (my Alma Mater), except that ours has its lead pointing to the ground and needs to be technically sound to stay that way.
The EDC Pencil was realized in a combination of Metal and Concrete and PVC. It was finished in enamel paint and has the message “Imagination is more important than knowledge”, (a quote by Albert Einstein) on it.
Our model pencil was the Steadtler pencil. We choose yellow as our pencil’s body color, as it is not associated with anything specific such as religion, region or political party — and is seen as a friendly color.
The installation is also meant to be seen as a soft reflection / projection of our field of work,which is creative — where art and science meet.
I really like the idea of your EDC pencil — and is this your first location?
Can you read between the lines?
As we had the perfect and ready location, a bit of public space in front of our premises, which is located across a playground, we made this “public sculpture” as a pet project on our own. We have not planned for more locations / more installations as of now.
Do you plan to take this unique sculpture to other locations?
We are open to offer similar or more designs / solutions on a complimentary basis to homeowners in our neighborhood and on a professional consultancy basis to Corporates, Institutions and Civic Authorities who are keen to share, rejuvenate and/ or ready to adapt public spaces, wherever they wish to take up such work. As a society we need to inspire, draw hope and create awe in both children and adults alike and one of the ways is through a public sculpture that invokes participation.
What feedback have you received from children and parents?
The children visiting the playground were already using the piece of pavement for their games. They seem to have readily accepted this larger-than-life pencil, which took a few days in its making. It does seem to bring out a positive influence on them for it provides for a space, as well as a quiet inspiration for them to express their thoughts through doodles and drawings.
We are hopeful that a few kids among them will consider a career in the creative field in the future, as they are inquisitive into the nature of work we do as a profession. Sometimes the elders who accompany them have a range of expressions — from intrigue to confusion on seeing the pencil. Some of them do want to know more, and this creates an opportunity for a discussion … a dialogue.
The pencil sculpture enables all this and more.
Link to the Original Article by Sharath Bhat here:
<https://indianink.medium.com/heres-a-larger-than-life-public-sculpture-in-bangalore-aimed-at-inspiring-creativity-among-3472b014a3c>