The Living Lightly project presents an online exhibition focusing on Indian indigenous wool.
What – Desi Oon, an online exhibition, showcasing indigenous wool and pastoralism of India
Where – http://shop.rangsutra.com/
When – 10th – 25th December 2020
- The online exhibition-sale on ‘Desi oon’ highlights the central role of wool in pastoral movements, cultures, and economies
- The exhibition features different sheep breeds including the black sheep of Deccan, the Patanwadi sheep of Gujarat, and the Harsil sheep of Uttarakhand
- The Desi Oon exhibition is accompanied by a film festival on pastoralism
Key Features
Desi Oon features a beautiful collection of products created by India’s wool artisans, the experiences of pastoral herders, and perspectives of civil society members, the exhibition is complemented by a film festival on pastoralism.
The Desi Oon story, through the journey of the wool fibre, traces the movement of sheep; the uniqueness of each breed; gorgeous diversity of traditional products and the wonderful skill of wool artisans.
The show seeks to connect pastoralists and artisans with designers and some of India’s best craft organizations trying to revive an entire value chain of indigenous wool.
Each partnering organization highlights a particular sheep breed — the Black Deccani Sheep by Mitan and Earthen Tunes, Harsil sheep by Avani and Peoli, Chokla by Rangsutra, Patanwadi by Khamir, and the indigenized Gaddi-Merino sheep of Himachal Pradesh by Aana Jana and Kullvi Whims.
Presented by Centre for Pastoralism, which is also engaged in revitalizing the indigenous wool economy and culture, the Desi Oon exhibition and the film festival are amongst the many initiatives that took root in the pastures of the Living Lightly project – a travelling exhibition on the lands, lives, and livelihoods of the Indian Pastoralists.The accompanying film festival, curated by Srishti Films, launches December 19. It kickstarts with a keynote address by eminent filmmaker Stanzin Dorjai whose film ‘Shepherdess of the Glaciers’ is among the award-winning documentaries and feature films being screened at the festival. Scheduled are panel discussions on pressing pastoral-related issues – from livelihoods to displacement, with panelists that are community members, activists, academics and student filmmakers.
