My father often tells me that our generation uses the word ‘anxious’ too liberally. I think it’s used as freely as one can grasp it. It is true; perhaps Gen Z is the generation facing the most mental health crises, or rather, the only one that has been able to recognise it so far. But, does that make us the most anxious generation? According to a wellness index study, Gen Z and millennial Indians are far more prone to stress and anxiety than older generations.
Just in India, every third Indian was struggling with anxiety. Social media will tell you that this is a recession indicator, and your mothers will tell you it’s your damned phone. Contemporary life is exacerbated by economic instability, social pressures, and an increasing concern for the environment. At a time when a generation is constantly on the lookout for an escape or a tool for self-care, Tanuvi Hegde’s collection ‘Furniture for the Anxious Being’ has thoughtfully designed pieces for the most anxious generation. Consisting of three pieces, the collection draws inspiration from actions and techniques to calm anxiety that trigger specific senses and feelings. Tanuvi’s work is inspired relationships between people and inanimate objects, and rooted in the belief that modern problems require modern solutions.
The first piece of the collection is called ‘Chaos’. Inspired by observational grounding techniques, this piece reflects a downward spiral in the form of a junk drawer. It forces you to pause and observe what surrounds you, to find the hidden grooves and openings. Although it looks unassuming, each drawer pulls out in a different direction and angle, disrupting routine and redirecting attention to the present.
Comfort from repetition and rhythm creates the idea for the second piece of this collection. Fidgeting, as an action, with small repetitive actions is recognised as a grounding technique that works for many. The ‘Reflect’ chair introduced touch and sound to this experience through balls rolling around the armrest, with subtle vibrations and aural stimulation. The chair encourages introspection while offering a release from restlessness. Reflect is currently also a part of the ‘Outside/In’ exhibition at Lyle Gallery, NYC.
Burning away your stress is a common practice in many cultures. Fire becomes a protectant. Even pop culture characters like ‘Geet’ from ‘Jab We Met’ have practised it. The third piece from this collection, called ‘Release’ is a writing desk with an integrated burn bowl. There’s a certain freedom in being able to burn your thoughts. It’s liberating, and that’s exactly what this piece aims to do—to find the liberation that follows unburdening oneself.
Furniture for the Anxious Being is a vision of what furniture can be beyond functional norms, when it becomes a part of everyday life that caters to emotional well-being. The collection is an answer to a question we need to ask ourselves — what happens when we live amongst things that reflect a part of us?