Based out of Bangalore, Phantom Hands is a furniture design studio which is unique in its design approach; wherein the designing is outsourced to contemporary designers, and the assembly is entrusted to the trained hands of the local craftsmen. The practice thrives as a collective of traditional artisans, weavers and designers, creating sculptural furniture, reminiscent of an aesthetic which emanated from a newly Independent India.
Founded by Deepak Srinath in 2013, Phantom Hands began as an online platform; catering to the sourcing and restoration of vintage furniture from the 50’s and 60’s. A better understanding of the intricacies of handcrafting furniture grew with the experiments and procedures involved in the refurbishment of these antiques. Inspired by aesthetics and furniture of the Modernism and Art Deco movements, the idea to re-imagine these pieces for the contemporary world was birthed.
This thought was the stepping stone of Project Chandigarh, a collection featuring re-editions of furniture designed by Pierre Jeanneret and other notable designers, for Chandigarh in the 1950’s. This collection portrays the design story of India; focusing on the pivotal role played by Chandigarh in this narrative: a symbol of evolution and progress, embracing the new era of design – now an indispensable part of the movement which generated India’s Modernity. Project Chandigarh re-interprets these pieces by analyzing them through a contemporary lens; while maintaining the traditional methods of craftmanship, as well as celebrating the hands-on approach to “making.” Such a design undertaking remains extremely challenging; staying viscerally connected to the traditions of an influential, nascent India – while superimposing over it a present-day aesthetic sensibility. This vision was realised upon collaboration with Italian based designers INODA+SVEJE, who leant their expertise in the pursuit of this philosophy. Although a partnership with a foreign collaborator may seem counter-intuitive to the process of manufacturing furniture deeply rooted in Indian Modernity, it is a seemingly intelligent approach – drawing a parallel to famous designers such as George Nakashima and Le Corbusier; some of the international designers originally tasked with formulating this Modernity in the middle of the 20th century. The fresh perspective and design awareness from the Phantom Hands’ collaborators allow the creation of pieces which subscribe to an appropriate aesthetic, while retaining a distinct design identity unique to itself.
A collaborative approach to design forms the crux of the practice at Phantom Hands. In the furniture collections that came after Project Chandigarh, Phantom Hands aimed to design more “Indian Modern” furniture with the only criteria being an experimental, craft-based approach. Apart from INODA+SVEJE, the other design collaborator working with Phantom Hands is the X+L design studio, based out of Amsterdam, Netherlands – who created the furniture which now makes up the X+L catalogue. The name Phantom Hands itself holds a metaphor to collaboration: a nod to the multiple workers – from traditional weavers and craftsmen, to the foreign contemporary designers – involved with the design, manufacture and production of every piece.
Our focus is to create contemporary objects which are greatly inspired by modernism, which was why we called our design philosophy a ‘Contemporary Modern’ one.
Deepak Srinath
No piece is overdone with embellishments or decorative surfaces; crafted with simple ornate lines, clarity of proportion and clean lines of construction stand out as the characteristic features – drawing rudimental parallels to Modernism. The allure lies within the seemingly simple construction; capturing a glance from a wandering eye with uncluttered, elementary lines – only to further advocate it’s elegance, when the observer begins to enquire more from the furniture’s visual identity. The details are resolved with harmony and care; soft curves sometimes breaking the linear lines with organic edges, articulated with a fluidity that seems to impart every piece with a sense of individuality.
The materiality is the fundamental tether which links the pieces to its traditional roots – timber, teak and cane being the primary materials used. Wood allows dexterity and conceptual flexibility in the designs – malleable enough in assembly to produce fine edges, smooth curves and interesting textures (as seen in the Mugāru and Tangāli Collections) – while retaining a robust strength and durability.
Craft remains at the core of the design philosophy: a hands-on approach to manufacturing furniture thus occupies top priority. A
team of local weavers and carpenters are trained and employed at the workshops to ensure a high quality hand-made output. Although
Phantom Hands does not claim to be the saviour or reviver of traditional craft, the practice helps disseminate the values and formal identity of the craftsmen and their work.
Every piece of furniture presents a unique set of design and construction challenges, and undergoes multiple iterations and prototypes before final production. From materiality to assembly, Phantom Hands formulates furniture of continuous endeavour – never treating any piece as absolute or complete, but instead searching for the aspects which can be improved or made more efficient.
Phantom Hands’ work occupies a niche market – a middle ground between contemporary and vintage furniture. It chronicles the design story of modern India, while simultaneously allowing it to progress further. Just as the story is allowed to evolve and grow, so does the studio; constantly looking outward and upward, searching for challenging new ideas, in the pursuit of the intangible meaning behind “Contemporary Modern” India ⊗
Founded by Deepak Srinath, PHANTOM HANDS is an artisan collective of traditional woodoworkers, cane weavers and upholsterers from different parts of India. At the centre of the practice lies an unrelenting commitment to, and celebration of, fine Indian craftmanship, and upholding these standards in a contemporary world where the economic and cultural landscape make it very challenging to do so. Their first collection, Project Chandigarh was launched in May 2015, and since then the Mungāru, Tangāli and X+L Catalogues have also been released. PHANTOM HANDS continue to collaborate with designers and add to their catalogue.
Deepak Srinath began the studio after running Viedea Capital – a financial advisory firm – for nearly 10 years. With a background in technology, finance and management, Phantom Hands is his third entrepreneurial venture and is a platform to combine his interests in furniture, history, design and the digital world.
