Yukti V. AgarwalWORKINFO

Interwoven

Research and curation for a machine learning tool to increase global access to South Asian textiles.

A collaborative project between theMuseum of Art and Photography (India’s first digital museum) and Microsoft Corporation (through the Microsoft AI for Cultural Heritage Initiative), INTERWOVEN showcases South Asian textiles to a global audience and builds further engagement with the field by utilizing Microsoft AI to draw previously unknown connections between artworks and cultures.

This platform connects South Asian textile collections in the region to other important collections around the world to spark dialogues between different specialists and institutions and serve as a useful tool that academics and researchers can employ in their work.






“This project makes South Asian art accessible to anyone from the comfort of their own homes. It champions new, equitable futures, that allow future research in the South Asian diaspora.”


“INTERWOVEN is an illustration of how human-centered technology—when it is thoughtfully and collaboratively designed—can help elevate and expand access to our collective history.”

ENCOURAGING DISCOVERY: Unique User Paths  

Starting with a single piece of artwork from MAP, users embark on a journey that crisscrosses mediums and eras, arriving at surprising and revealing points in art history. This experience will capitalize upon widespread interest in fashion and textiles to establish the global relevance of South Asian culture and provide an entry point for Art History through visual recognition and textual data such as colors, patterns, shapes, weaving techniques, names, dates, etc. 





The primary users are general consumers—anyone with an interest in art and culture can discover connections on the platform, either through open exploration or a journey curated by art scholars. The aim is to discover something unexpected by connecting artworks in creative new ways through AI, walk away with new knowledge and an increased understanding of similarities between cultures.

The secondary users are academics and researchers—from art historians to curators, AI can help uncover commonalities that inspire new ideas and novel avenues of scholarship. The aim is to use AI to identify key shifts and connections in textile design, patterns, and costumes within Art History across geographies and cultures, and highlight global exchange in textile history.

Interwoven showcases South Asian Textiles—to a global audience and build further engagement with the field.
Interwoven utilizes Microsoft AI—to draw previously unknown connections between artworks and cultures.
Interwoven connect global collections—to spark dialogues between different specialists and institutions.
Interwoven serves as a useful tool—to academics and researchers working in the field of textiles and beyond.

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Interwoven, 2021

Project for Museum of Art and Photography, 24 weeks

Education, product strategy, curatorial design, digital engagement, AI integration, cross-cultural analysis

Project undertaken as a Research Assistant at RISD Museum Museum of Art & Photography Microsoft AI Heritage Project


INTERWOVEN
Architectural Digest Economic Times Elle Magazine Hindustan Times


Images Courtesy of MAP and Microsoft