The India Report
Published in Aprirl 1958
At the invitation of the Government of India
Introductory note: The Government of India asked for recommendations on a program of training in design that would serve as an aid to the small industries; and that would resist the present rapid deterioration in design and quality of consumer goods. ¶ Charles Eames, American industrial designerr, and his wife and colleague Ray Eames visited India for three months at the invitation of the Government, with the sponsorship of the Ford Foundation, to explore problems of design and to make recommendations forr a training prrogrram. The Eames toured throughout India, making a careful study of the many centers of design, handicrafts, and general manufacture. They talked with many persons, official and non-official, in the field of small and large industry, in design and architecture, and in education. As a result of their study and discussion, the following report emerged.
photographs of lotas taken in India by Charles and Ray Eames.
Of all the objects we have seen and admired during our visit to India, the lota, that simple vessel of everyday use, stands out as perhaps the greatest, the most beautiful. The village women have a process, which, with the use of tamarind and ash, each day turns this brass into gold. ¶ But how would one go about designing a lota? First one would have to shut out all preconceived ideas on the subject and then begin to consider factor after factor:
Of course, no one man could have possibly designed the lota. The number of combinations of factors to be considered gets to be astronomical—no one man designed the lota but many men over many generations. Many individuals represented in their own way through something they may have added or may have removed orr through some quality of which they were particularly aware. ¶ The hope for and the reason for such an institute as we describe is that it will hasten and the production of the ‘lotas’ of our time. By this we mean a hope that an attitude be generated that will appraise and solve the problems of our coming times with the same tremendous service, dignity, and love that the lota served its time. ¶ The simplest problem of environment has a list of aspects that makes the list we have given for the lota small by comparison. That roster of disciplines we have suggested can bring about measurable answers to some measurable aspects of the problem, but in addition they must provide the trainee with a questioning approach and a smell for appropriateness; a concern for quality, which will help him through the immeasurable relationships. ¶ In the face of the inevitable destruction of many cultural values—in the face of the immediate need for the nation to feed and shelter itself—a drive for quality takes on a real meaning. It is not a self-conscious effort to develop an aesthetic—it is a relentless search for quality that must be maintained if this new Republic is to survive.
At the invitation of the Government of India
Introductory note: The Government of India asked for recommendations on a program of training in design that would serve as an aid to the small industries; and that would resist the present rapid deterioration in design and quality of consumer goods. ¶ Charles Eames, American industrial designerr, and his wife and colleague Ray Eames visited India for three months at the invitation of the Government, with the sponsorship of the Ford Foundation, to explore problems of design and to make recommendations forr a training prrogrram. The Eames toured throughout India, making a careful study of the many centers of design, handicrafts, and general manufacture. They talked with many persons, official and non-official, in the field of small and large industry, in design and architecture, and in education. As a result of their study and discussion, the following report emerged.
photographs of lotas taken in India by Charles and Ray Eames.Of all the objects we have seen and admired during our visit to India, the lota, that simple vessel of everyday use, stands out as perhaps the greatest, the most beautiful. The village women have a process, which, with the use of tamarind and ash, each day turns this brass into gold. ¶ But how would one go about designing a lota? First one would have to shut out all preconceived ideas on the subject and then begin to consider factor after factor:
- The optimum amount of liquid to be fetched, carried, poured, and stored in a prescribed set of circumstances.
- The size and strength and gender of the hands (if hands) that would manipulate it.
- The way it is to be transported—head, hip, hand, basket, or cart.
- The balance, the center of gravity, when empty, when full, its balance when rotated for pouring.
- The fluid dynamics of the problem not only when pouring but when filling and cleaning, and under the complicated motions of head carrying—slow and fast.
- Its sculpture as complement to the rhythmic motion of walking or a static post at a well.
- The relation of the opening to volume in terms of storage uses—and objects other than liquids.
- The size of the opening and inner contour in terms of cleaning.
- The texture inside and out in terms of cleaning and feeling.
- Heat transfer—can it be grasped if the liquid is hot?
- How pleasant does it feel, eyes closed, eyes open?
- How pleasant does it sound, when it strikes another vessel, is set on the ground or stone, empty or full—or being poured into?
- What is the possible material?
- What is its cost in terms of working?
- What is its cost in terms of ultimate service?
- What kind of an investment does the material provide as product, as salvage?
- How will the material affect the contents, etc., etc.?
- How will it look as the sun reflects off its surface?
- How does it feel to possess it, to sell it, to give it?
Of course, no one man could have possibly designed the lota. The number of combinations of factors to be considered gets to be astronomical—no one man designed the lota but many men over many generations. Many individuals represented in their own way through something they may have added or may have removed orr through some quality of which they were particularly aware. ¶ The hope for and the reason for such an institute as we describe is that it will hasten and the production of the ‘lotas’ of our time. By this we mean a hope that an attitude be generated that will appraise and solve the problems of our coming times with the same tremendous service, dignity, and love that the lota served its time. ¶ The simplest problem of environment has a list of aspects that makes the list we have given for the lota small by comparison. That roster of disciplines we have suggested can bring about measurable answers to some measurable aspects of the problem, but in addition they must provide the trainee with a questioning approach and a smell for appropriateness; a concern for quality, which will help him through the immeasurable relationships. ¶ In the face of the inevitable destruction of many cultural values—in the face of the immediate need for the nation to feed and shelter itself—a drive for quality takes on a real meaning. It is not a self-conscious effort to develop an aesthetic—it is a relentless search for quality that must be maintained if this new Republic is to survive.