Clothesmaker Kallol Datta is known for pushing the boundaries of structural experimentation in pattern cutting. In so doing, Datta skews traditional geometry to create unwearable silhouettes which shroud, swaddle, and cocoon the body inhabiting the textile object. This practice employs the reconstruction, repurposing, and restructuring of donated pieces of clothing – garments that hold memory, emotion, and history – to negotiate larger questions on work and the politics of craftsmanship, on the relationship between labourer and user, and on ideas revolving around research as production.

Re-Forming welcomes artist Kallol Datta and fashion writer Vinita Makhija to the TRI Terrace for essay readings and a conversation on the process of reformation. This iteration of TRI Talks, our ongoing conversation series, takes place as part of closing events for TRI’s inaugural exhibitions curated by Experimenter including Volume 3, Issue 2 | 2.0, a solo immersive exhibition by Kallol Datta.