Talk / Life Cycles
Recreating Jallianwala Bagh massacre in to a memorial
Sandeep Mulagapati & Kadambari Sahu
Recreating Jallianwala Bagh massacre in to a multisensorial installation to question racism, and
power dynamics.
In current times, widespread distrust, discrimination, and apathy is emerging in the world. This can lead to inhuman acts. Recreating Jallianwala Bagh massacre into an interactive multi-sensorial installation was an attempt to create a memorial which could move users emotionally, question their own biases, and give a channel to remember and mourn the people who died (1000 persons including women and children). It was also an attempt to understand the racism, power dynamics and how identity emerges with such a traumatic event for people who were under a foreign rule and draw a parallel in current times.
This installation uses novel techniques and was experimentation to use smell to drive the narrative along with visual imagery and sound. The survey conducted validates that users were moved emotionally, the medium was novel and effective for storytelling and delivering message.
About the speakers
Sandeep Mulagapati
I am working as a Product Manager at Fanatics, a unicorn startup in the bay area, with a focus on experimentation. I like working at the intersection of analytical and creative thinking and am interested in utilizing qualitative and quantitative information for building great products.
I am also interested in building experimental narratives using innovative interactive experiences. I have worked on Olfactory and multi-sensorial interactions for projects funded by the Prince Claus Fund and the British Council. I have a Bachelor’s degree in design from IIT-Guwahati and an MBA from Georgetown University. During this time, I have provided strategy consulting services to venture-funded startups through the InSITE Fellowship and firms such as Uber and the World Bank.
Kadambari Sahu
I head the Design function at ValueLabs. My practice in design allows me to work in different media where storytelling and interaction design create engaging, playful and meaningful experiences. I have done post-graduation in New Media Design at the National Institute of Design, which has let me examine the impact that technologies have on human interactions and culture. I have always been curious about the role of design in everyday life and the ways in which human interactions can be mediated, shaped, enhanced or augmented by technologies. I am funded jointly by the British council and Prince Claus Fund for research and design of olfactory and multi-sensorial installations based on cultural and social contexts.