Weave the Future 2.0: A textile journey from seed to stitch

Scheduled till August 17, the exhibition brings together over 30 brands, artisans, designers, and grassroots organisations working with indigenous cotton and regenerative practices. Rather than showcasing just finished products, it invites visitors to explore the entire journey of textile-making where tradition, ecology, and design come together to shape a sustainable future.

While the first edition of Weave the Future focussed on upcycling, this year goes further into its roots. “It felt like the natural next step was to go beyond reuse and begin asking: What are the systems behind what we consume? Can we heal them, not just extend their life?” says Dr M Beena, Director-Commissioner (Handlooms), who led the curatorial vision.

This shift toward regeneration, she explains, is both philosophical and practical. “It’s about nurturing soil, knowledge, culture, and dignity across the textile chain. It offered a way to reconnect the dots between the land, the maker, and the wearer.”

A living narrative

Set across the Crafts Museum’s village complex, the exhibition unfolds like a narrative. From spinning tools and traditional gins to modern garments and sound installations, each object is chosen not for its form, but for the story it tells about the deeper life of textiles.

The story begins with a ‘seed altar’, an impactful installation that features indigenous cotton varieties, soil samples, and preservation tools. “As simple as it may seem, the cotton seed carries the weight of history, land, violence, trade, and hope,” Dr Beena adds.

Another highlight includes the Cotton 2.0 by Kora Design Collaborative, which traces the complete processing journey of 12 native cotton varieties — from harvest to handloom.

Textile and fashion designer Sonam Khetan’s soundscape installation documents disappearing natural sounds, while Lafaani’s eco-printed textile panels, created with dried flowers and temple offerings, reflect on memory and the sacredness of the handmade.

“We wanted this edition to be experiential, not just educational,” says Dr Beena. “Art creates a pause. It allows you to feel before you understand. The installations are invitations: to sit, to listen, to touch, and to slow down.”

Bridging the system

The exhibition consciously avoids a one-sided view of sustainability. It brings together farmers, weavers, policy enablers, and design studios, highlighting the role each plays in the larger textile ecosystem. Participating initiatives range from grassroots groups like Khamir and OOO Farms to responsible fashion brands such as Dhi Earth, Indigene, and 11.11.

“We made sure each participant could speak for themselves, through material, words and presence,” says Dr Beena. “Rather than flattening differences, we chose to honour them as part of a shared ecosystem.”

Workshops running alongside the exhibition include a natural dye lab, interactive demos on cotton processing, and film-led conversations on climate change and community resilience. All are designed to spark dialogue and deepen public understanding of where textiles truly begin.

Reviving indigenous cotton

At the heart of Weave the Future 2.0 is a quiet revolution: the revival of indigenous cotton. Varieties such as Kala cotton, Punasa cotton, Gavran Kapus, and Kondapatti make up just 2–3% of India’s cotton cultivation today, but they hold enormous ecological and cultural value.

“These cotton varieties are hardier, need fewer chemical inputs, and are better suited to local climates,” says Dr Beena. “They also support decentralised, community-led processing systems that preserve livelihoods and knowledge.”

The exhibition argues for a return to these climate-resilient varieties and the traditional techniques — hand spinning, hand weaving and low-energy tools–that support circular, people-first economies.

Beyond the museum

While the exhibition runs only for 10 days, its goals are long-term. Plans are underway for open-source educational materials, curriculum pilots in design schools, and policy roundtables connecting cotton growers with sustainability frameworks.

“We see this exhibition as a seed planted,” says Dr Beena. “What moved me most was the gap between people’s willingness to make better choices and how hard the system makes it. This is about making invisible efforts visible and bridging that gap.”