Latest news with #NationalCraftsMuseum
Fashion Network
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Shrijan blends fashion and art in New Delhi
'Shrijan – The Birth Of A Craft' brought an array of textile art pieces to the Innovation Gallery in Delhi's National Crafts Museum and Hastakala Academy to blend the lines between fashion and art while celebrating both indigenous Indian crafts and current creatives. 'This showcase brings together elements of fashion, craft, art, and culture," the development commissioner for handicrafts Amrit Raj told Elle India about the initiative. Curated by Sunil Sethi, chairman of the Fashion Design Council of India, in collaboration with Craftroots and supported by DC Handicrafts under the Ministry of Textiles, the showcase explores the transformation of traditional techniques into contemporary expressions. Shrijan frames craft as a metaphor for birth and renewal, using textiles and textures to reflect creation, growth and transformation. The exhibit features cotton, silk, Mashru, velvet, Kutchi weaves and Ajrakh fabrics, with techniques ranging from hand embroidery and aari work to crochet, mud art, bamboo knotting and LED integrations. "The Final Layer- an evocative installation where bamboo canes, thread balls, and hand embroidery come together in a gown that symbolises collective emotion and unity," the FDCI announced on Facebook, sharing images of an art piece from the exhibition. "Each element is meticulously crafted, reflecting the shared rhythm of creation and the beauty of craftsmanship." Many of the featured pieces were created by rural artisans from Gujarat, supported by Craftroots, a platform that works with over 35,000 craftspeople across India. 'We wanted the artisan to be the hero,' said Sethi about the exhibit.
Asahi Shimbun
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Asahi Shimbun
Kanazawa museum in full bloom with floral craft exhibition
The gray bowl with delicate China pink floral patterns by Imaizumi Imaemon XIII is one of the highlights of the Living with Flowers exhibition at the National Crafts Museum in Kanazawa. (Eriko Nami) KANAZAWA—The National Crafts Museum here is showcasing a wide range of works themed around plants that bloom from spring to summer in an exhibition titled Living with Flowers. It is the first in a series of projects commemorating the fifth anniversary of the museum's relocation from Tokyo. The flower theme was selected for its popularity in craft design and the museum's extensive collection of vases and flower containers. The show features 98 works, primarily craft pieces from the museum's collection, along with two paintings by Maurice Denis on loan from the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo. A gray porcelain bowl by Imaizumi Imaemon XIII appears on the exhibition poster. Delicate China pink flowers radiate from the center of the dish, evoking a sense of swaying in the wind. The exhibition showcases masterpieces from several genres, including pottery, glass, lacquer, metalwork and kimono. Highlights include pieces by living national treasures with ties to Kanazawa, such as lacquer artist Gonroku Matsuda. The show also includes two floral-themed oil paintings by Denis: 'Gorse' and 'Table with Flowers'. These works enrich the lineup by adding depth and variety to the exploration of floral expression. 'We invite visitors to enjoy a virtual flower-viewing experience at the museum,' said curator Tomoe Nakagawa. 'On their way home, I hope they'll notice the flowers along the streets and see how craft designs are inspired by everyday life.' The museum relocated in 2020 from Tokyo to Kanazawa, a historic city known for its craft tradition. However, the past five years have not been easy for museum staff. 'Looking back, there have been challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Noto Peninsula earthquake,' said Director Masahiro Karasawa. 'We've built close ties with the local community, but some still find the museum not easily accessible.' To engage a wider audience, the museum is providing a free zone and newcomer-friendly programs. Alongside the craft show, a mini-exhibition titled Living with Books is being held, featuring the book collection of Hisui Sugiura, a graphic designer active in the early to mid-20th century. The two exhibitions will run until June 22. Admission is 300 yen ($2.10) for adults and 150 yen for university students. Admission is free for high school students and younger, individuals under 18, and those aged 65 and over.
Straits Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
UK-India investment treaty lets companies sue government, sources say
FILE PHOTO: Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and a British delegation headed by Britain's Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds visit the National Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy in New Delhi, India, February 24, 2025. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis LONDON - An investment treaty between Britain and India will contain a provision that allows companies to sue either government if they believe policy changes unfairly harm their investment or profits, two sources familiar with discussions told Reuters. The Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism is aimed at protecting companies against possible unfair treatment under local laws, and will be included in an investment treaty that is expected to be struck alongside a free trade agreement shortly. The mechanism has been criticised in recent years, including by Britain's previous Conservative government, for blocking efforts to fight climate change because fossil fuel producers can use it to protect their assets. Britain has not included ISDS in any of the bilateral free trade deals it has struck since it left the European Union, though it is a feature of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) it has signed up to. India has also moved to limit ISDS in its treaties. One of the sources said London had pushed for its inclusion in a deal with India as British businesses wanted reassurance that they would be treated fairly under the Indian legal system. The Indian government declined to give an immediate response to a question about the current talks. A spokesperson for Britain's trade ministry declined to comment on the matter but said any deal needed guarantees for businesses that they would be treated fairly. The two sources said government officials on Tuesday told a meeting of businesses interested in the deal that ISDS was included. Britain has never lost an ISDS claim by a company but according to UN data, of 30 ISDS cases brought against India since 2003, 8 were brought by UK-based companies under a previous agreement. "We are determined to improve access for UK businesses, ensure their fair treatment, cut tariffs, and make trade cheaper and easier," the UK trade ministry spokesperson said. Britain's left-of-centre Labour Party won power last year, and has been keen to stress that it is now the party of business as it restarts various trade negotiations. Britain and India have been locked in trade talks, on and off, since January 2022, and are expected to strike a full trade deal soon. The Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal was in London earlier this week for late-stage talks, and returned on Friday for further discussions. Tariffs on whisky, autos and agricultural products are being negotiated as part of the deal, while regulatory issues around the pharmaceutical sector are another sensitive area. India had previously indicated its opposition to ISDS, scrapping a previous bilateral investment treaty with Britain in 2017 and moving to a model which allowed use of the mechanism only after routes through India's legal system had been exhausted. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
28-04-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Indian, UK trade ministers meet to push for deal under added pressure from Trump
FILE PHOTO: Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and a British delegation headed by Britain's Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds visit the National Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy in New Delhi, India, February 24, 2025. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis/File Photo LONDON - The British and Indian trade ministers began two days of talks on Monday to conclude more than three years of negotiations on a trade pact, under additional pressure to reach a deal because of Donald Trump's tariffs on exports to the United States. Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal described his first day of talks in with British trade minister Jonathan Reynolds as "productive" in a post on X, without giving further details. India and Britain are both seeking bilateral deals with the United States to remove some of Trump's tariffs, which have upended the global trade system. The turmoil has also sharpened focus in both London and New Delhi on the need to clinch a UK/India trade deal. "The government's committed to doing the right deal with India, which will improve access for UK businesses, cut tariffs and make trade cheaper and easier," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesperson said. Talks are seen as nearing completion, with the latest negotiating round having been extended in a bid to reach a final conclusion. Any deal must reach agreement over tariffs on goods such as whiskey, agriculture and cars, as well as on regulations around pharmaceutical products and investments. One person familiar with the talks said before Monday's meeting that the issues of whiskey and autos, long sensitive areas in India, had already been resolved. Another area of contention has been around any exemptions Indian workers could secure from British social security contributions, which Goyal has said will be covered in a separate treaty. Britain and India launched the trade talks in January 2022, with then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson promising a deal by Diwali ten months later to show the advantages of Britain's new authority to conduct its own trade policy after leaving the EU. But progress has proven uneven, with Starmer now the fourth British prime minister leading the negotiations. His Labour government has pledged progress towards a deal, and Reynolds, who visited India in February to restart the trade talks, said securing one was a "top priority". Both sides said that immigration, a politically sensitive topic in Britain, would not form part of trade talks, although provisions to make it easier for professionals to stay temporarily for work trips could be part of any deal. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK-India free trade talks relaunch as Business Secretary heads to New Delhi
Free trade talks between the UK and India will be relaunched as the Business Secretary visits New Delhi on Monday after negotiations stalled last year. Jonathan Reynolds will meet commerce minister Piyush Goyal for two days of negotiations aimed at clinching a long-sought deal which the Government hopes could unlock valuable markets for British business. Since 2022, the UK has been through more than a dozen rounds of talks over a potential agreement with India, which is forecast to become the world's largest economy. Key sticking points were said to include visa rules for Indian students and professionals, as well as access for British service firms. Announcing Monday's talks, Mr Reynolds said securing a deal with India was a 'no-brainer' and a 'top priority' for the Labour Government. 'That is why I'm flying to New Delhi with our top negotiating team to show our commitment to getting these talks back on track,' the Business Secretary said. 'Only a pragmatic government can deliver the economic growth and stability that the British public and British businesses deserve, delivering on the plan for change. 'Growth will be the guiding principle in our trade negotiations with India and I'm excited about the opportunities on offer in this vibrant market.' Mr Reynolds will also visit Delhi's National Crafts Museum and BT India's office in Gurugram – one of the largest UK employers in India. Business minister Poppy Gustafsson will also speak with investors in Mumbai and Bengaluru to promote the UK as an attractive destination for investment. Britain's trade relationship with India is currently worth £41 billion, with investment supporting around 600,000 jobs across both countries.
