Do We Need NEW? - Rithika Manna
Exhibition
Graduate Student
Public
Opening night on March 14
100 McCaul St.
100 McCaul St.
What if design wasn’t about constant newness but about adaptability, cultural heritage, and longevity? Do We Need NEW? challenges the throwaway culture of fast furniture, proposing a modular system that evolves with the user instead of ending up in a landfill.
Rooted in jugaad (frugal innovation) and traditional craftsmanship, this project embraces sustainability as a localized practice. In South India, people sleep on woven reed mats suited to the climate, while colder regions rely on insulating materials like wool or reclaimed wood. My work questions the universal approach to sustainability, advocating for design that honors cultural traditions and environmental realities.
By prioritizing reuse, repair, and emotional connection, Do We Need NEW? reimagines furniture as something we grow with, rather than discard. This exhibition invites you to rethink consumption, celebrate heritage, and see sustainability as a practice of care and continuity.
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