VizChitra 2025

{Describe your talk/session in 2-3 paragraphs}

The snippets of the whispers we collected from the labourers will be played as we recite the poem below. Befor the whispers took the shape of an interactive art installation, it was manifested in the form of a poem first. The poem goes like this:

In the shadow of steel, where whispers fade to night,
The builders of our world remain hidden from sight.
We walk the streets they shaped with hands worn thin,
Yet their stories, like shadows, are lost within.

As we draw near, their voices hush, our shadows take their place,
Our presence silences the echoes we chase.
We try to listen, but our steps make clear,
The closer we come, the more they disappear.

In fleeting light, their forms dissolve, erased by our hand,
Their lives, like whispers, slip away like sand.
In this quiet void, where we leave our trace,
Each step we take, another voice we erase.

Then we introduce that Whispers in the Void is an immersive art installation commissioned by RAW Collaborative x Godrej Desig Lab, showcased at both the events in Dec 2024; It unveils the overlooked voices of those who shape our cities yet remain invisible in our everyday lives. It invites viewers to engage with the idea of presence and absence, highlighting the delicate nature of memory and the forgotten contributions.
Along the crowded streets, under the flyovers and beside the towering structures we inhabit, there exists an overlooked workforce—the laborers, vendors, sweepers and many more—whose stories fade into the background as we rush past. Their hands have shaped the city, but their voices and lives slip away like shadows under the weight of steel and concrete.

{Mention 1-2 takeaways from your session}

This installation evokes the transient presence of these people, by incorporating urban textures and shifting silhouettes, it creates an abstract space where visitors can pause and reflect on the lives that are so often ignored. It subtly challenges its audience to rethink how we perceive these invisible lives. It asks how we can listen to voices that are barely audible amid the city’s noise, and how we can acknowledge the presence of those we rarely see.
Through careful listening and mindful interaction, the installation invites us to explore the stories of those who remain invisible yet indispensable to the city’s rhythm and urging us to slow down, to notice, and to listen.

{Who is the audience for your talk/session?}

This a call for people who are responsible for designing our cities livable and people who wish to imagine better cities to live in, the urban designers, policy makers, environmental designers, municipality departments and any kind creative thinkers and changemakers.

{Designers’ Bio}

Ipsita (https://www.ipsitarajak.in/) and Sangeeth (https://sangeeth.xyz/) are independent designers and post graduates of New Media design from NID Gandhinagar, with backgrounds in architecture and electronics and communication engineering, respectively. Their diverse experiences shape their design approach.

Ipsita focuses on social innovation and design research, beginning with people’s everyday lives to create immersive and speculative experiences. She engages with communities, explores possibilities, and allows designs to evolve through this process.

Sangeeth draws from Paul Klee’s idea, “A line is a dot that went for a walk.” His shift from engineering to design reflects a journey of exploring human emotions and using design to craft meaningful connections. With a curiosity for people and their stories, he creates experiences that resonate deeply.

Together, they work on solving problems, shaping experiences, and imagining futures that contribute to social and ecological progress.