Design and literature, often the supporting characters in any iconic artwork, take centre stage, in the “Objects between the lines” exhibition. A writer becomes a designer as their vivid imagination either meticulously describes objects into physical invention or creates palpable atmospheres in their stories that evoke strong emotions. Produced by the Italian Cultural Institute in New Delhi, the exhibition celebrates the interplay between two creative disciplines—literature and design—from Italy and India.

This unique exhibition is centred around the premise of deep-rooted connections between literary texts and objects, and how they emerge from the shadows to become central characters in unfolding narratives. India’s rich cultural tradition is imbued in the curation, with seminal works of Indian literature, art, and design interspersed with their Italian counterparts, creating a cultural exchange between the storytelling and craftsmanship of the two countries.

The exhibition is organised in three parts: Found in Translation highlights objects born from literary imagination, brought to life by designers who interpret and transform these descriptions into physical creations; Scenarios explores scenes from literature, interpreted across multiple media by contemporary designers; and Free Associations pairs iconic Italian design with descriptions from literary triumphs, initiating a conversation between the written word and tangible form.

An impressive lineup of historical artefacts, loaned by public and private collections, features in the curation along with specially commissioned works by Italian and Indian designers. The exhibition is accompanied by a rich schedule of educational and outreach programmes to engage with a diverse audience. Among the highlights are a conference on literature and objects between 15 January and 22 February and a screening of Deepa Mehta’s acclaimed trilogy Fire-Water-Earth at the Italian Cultural Centre, highlighting connections to props and manuscripts. Additional programming includes workshops tailored for children and students, including a special session for visually impaired children at the ICC focusing on drawing objects. Delhi University and Jamia Millia Islamia University will host masterclasses on the anthropology of objects and literature.

These initiatives aim to deepen engagement with the exhibition’s themes and foster meaningful dialogue across different communities.

Featured contributors include Andrea Anastasio, Gae Aulenti, Matilde Cassani, Achille Castiglioni, Riccardo Dalisi, Arina Endo, Luca Galofaro, Giulio Iacchetti, Giovanni Innella, Martand Khosla, Ugo La Pietra, Lemonot, Giovanni Levanti, Vico Magistretti, Gianluca Malgeri, Enzo Mari, Bruno Munari, Ernesto Pirovano, Paolo Portohesi, Margherita Rui, Richard Sapper, Sissi, Ettore Sottsass, Nanni Strada, Studio Formafantasma, Studio Ossidiana, Paolo Ulian, Marco Zanuso. 

Literary texts by: Ludovico Ariosto, Massimo Bontempelli, Vitaliano Brancati, Aldo Buzzi, Italo Calvino, Achille Campanile, Kiran Desai, Carlo Emilio Gadda, Natalia Ginzburg, Guido Gozzano, Giacomo Leopardi, Primo Levi, Homer, Aldo Palazzeschi, Elio Pecora, Luigi Pirandello, Marco Polo, Gianni Rodari, Alberto Savinio, Trilussa, Sandro Veronesi, Vitruvius.