Bihar Museum

Bihar needed a cultural symbol that could revitalize pride in its rich heritage while creating a contemporary connection for today's audience.

Bihar boasts a diverse and vibrant culture deeply rooted in its history and traditions, with a focus on community and spirituality. Despite facing numerous challenges, the state's people possess immense pride and identity that can be revitalized through art, culture, and heritage expression. The museum needed a way to make this connection tangible and personally meaningful to visitors.

I conducted thorough research into collectible markets and cultural artifacts, examining successful models like KAWS figurines and Bearbrick collectibles that have created passionate communities of collectors. Taking inspiration from these contemporary art objects while honoring Bihar's rich cultural heritage, I developed concepts for collectible objects based on the museum's artifacts.

The Dancing Girl of Bulandibagh became a key inspiration - an important cultural artifact that provides a glimpse into the artistic practices of the ancient Indus Valley civilization. I explored how its form and cultural significance could be transformed into a modern collectible that would resonate with contemporary audiences while maintaining its cultural integrity.

Understanding the collectibles market to inform our approach

In recent years, urban and fine art collectibles have taken both the investment world and contemporary & street art markets by storm. The value of a collectible depends on rarity, condition, and the artist with which it is associated. Limited editions significantly increase desirability among buyers.

I was particularly inspired by how brands like Crocs use customization through Jibbitz charms to create personal connections with consumers. This insight led to the development of a customizable collectible concept for Bihar Museum that would allow visitors to create personal connections to the object and, by extension, to their cultural heritage.

A contemporary collectible object with modular accessories inspired by Bihar's cultural heritage

I designed a modern interpretation of the Dancing Girl artifact with a clean, contemporary silhouette that maintains the essence of the original while appealing to modern aesthetic sensibilities. The object features a system for attaching modular accessories that represent different aspects of Bihar's cultural heritage, from ancient wisdom to modern aspirations.

These accessories, ranging from symbols of education to technological advancement, allow collectors to personalize their object and create a unique narrative around it. This personalization creates a deeper sense of ownership and connection, making the object more meaningful as a representation of both personal and cultural identity.

The design envisions the objects at various scales - from large installations at the museum entrance to smaller personal objects that can adorn people's homes, creating continuity between the museum experience and daily life.

"The World is My Oyster" - An immersive selfie installation that empowers visitors

Complementing the collectible objects, I designed an interactive experience that empowers visitors to see themselves as significant parts of Bihar's story. The concept features a unique selfie booth using a super wide-angle lens that transforms visitors' portraits into spherical globes — a visual metaphor inspired by the phrase "The world is my oyster."

These portraits are then projected as a live, motion-activated installation on one of the museum walls, creating a constantly evolving tapestry of faces that together form a larger image. The portraits move and interact, responding to visitor movement and creating an exciting, communal viewing experience that embodies the collective identity of Bihar.

Visitors can also purchase personalized memorabilia featuring their spherical portraits — cups, keychains, or framed prints with inspiring quotes about potential and self-worth. Like a fortune cookie, each item comes with a message that encourages confidence and ambition, reinforcing the museum's role as a catalyst for personal and cultural empowerment.

This installation transforms visitors from passive observers into active participants in Bihar's cultural narrative, creating emotional connections that extend far beyond the museum visit.

The concept was developed to establish the Bihar Museum not just as a repository of the past but as an active cultural catalyst for contemporary Bihar. By offering objects that bridge traditional heritage with contemporary relevance, the museum can:

• Create a new revenue stream through merchandise with high perceived value
• Extend the museum experience beyond the physical visit
• Build a community of collectors and enthusiasts around Bihar's cultural heritage
• Showcase Bihar's cultural significance in homes and offices across India and beyond

The customizable nature of the objects encourages repeat visits as collectors return to acquire new accessories or limited editions, fostering an ongoing relationship between visitors and the museum.

The collectible objects in various display environments

The design is versatile enough to work in multiple contexts - from sophisticated museum gift shops to contemporary home interiors. The clean lines and adaptable aesthetic allow it to blend with various design styles while maintaining its distinctive character.

Balancing tradition with contemporary relevance

This project reinforced the importance of respecting cultural heritage while making it relevant to contemporary audiences. The most successful cultural objects don't simply mimic the past but reinterpret it in ways that speak to current sensibilities and needs.

The concept of personalization proved to be a powerful tool for creating deeper connections with cultural objects. By allowing people to customize their collectible, we enable them to form personal narratives around cultural heritage, making history more immediate and relevant to their lives.

For future iterations, I would explore:

• Collaboration with local artists to create special edition accessories
• Digital extensions through AR applications that bring the objects to life
• Sustainable production methods using local materials and craft techniques
• Creating a platform for collectors to share their personalized objects and stories