The tea trade spurred urban growth in the city of Mumbai. The seven islands of the original city gradually merged as builders reclaimed land from the sea, creating a single connected metropolis.

The Teasmog map chart the land growth and the population boom of these islands of Mumbai from 18th century to present day. In 1534, the trading islands of Mumbai slowly grew, with local people trading heavily in products such as silk, tea and tobacco. This led to massive industrialization of the islands and people from all over the region poured into these islands. Today, Mumbai is home to more than 12 million people.

background

projections

Projection mapping

animation

I collected various visuals that relate to density. Dot growth was the most prevalent and elemental way of showing this movement. From Bruno Munari’s densification series to works of contemporary artist Sol Lewitt, changing density has been illustrated through use of dots. In my maps, I tried various ways to apply this technique for the Teasmog map.

animation

swatches

vessels

The effect of urbanism was captured in the centrifugal growth of the cylindrical shape into organic shape.  I continued the concept of taking a simple cylindrical vessel and imagined how urbanism may effect it. I represented this idea by creating a perfect, circular interior but a wobbly, organic exterior. I also added a dripping glaze of waxy white to emphasize the outpour. I created the most complicated mold for this project.  Although I struggled with the mold-making, pouring slip into this form was easy due to the flexibility of the mold.

process

Graphic Design MFA Thesis by Hitesh Singhal. Serious tea fans can reach me at hsinghal@mica.edu