AN EXTRAORDINARY JACQUARD MECHANISM.
The monumental Basubati Palace Jacquard was woven on what is arguably the most advanced loom in the world. Since the invention of the first Jacquard loom, no pattern of this magnitude had ever been achieved. This marks a true first and a remarkable technical feat, the result of two years of research and development and a custom programming designed by Brochier’s team of engineers.
A GIANT MACHINE OF EXTREME PRECISION
Measuring 3.30 meters wide, the loom is topped by a 6-ton “brain”: a state-of-the-art mechanism capable of lifting all 12,230 warp threads individually — an extraordinary achievement, as threads are usually controlled in groups. This independent control allows the pattern to evolve at every intersection of warp and weft, producing exceptional definition, with “pixels” of unprecedented fineness.
THE PROJECT
World premiere presentation of this exceptional piece at the Durga Puja Festival in Calcutta (October 2025): an intense cultural and visual experience designed to resonate with both local audiences and international visitors. This creation is part of a unique intercultural approach, blending contemporary visual art, Indian devotional aesthetics, and textile craftsmanship elevated by cutting-edge technologies.
AN EXCEPTIONAL ARTWORK AT THE CROSSROADS OF CULTURES AND TECHNIQUES FOR THE DURGA PUJA FESTIVAL 2025.
“Its beauty and delicacy evoke craftsmanship, yet it belongs to the realm of high technology. This is the first work of this scale realized using an advanced Jacquard process.”
— Cédric Brochier
WINTER 2024
Creation by Thomas Henriot of an ink drawing, made in situ, on location, as part of a series devoted to the forgotten or restored palaces of several Indian cities. This work is carried out during a residency with the Basu Foundation for Arts.
2025
High-resolution digitization of the original ink drawing. Transmission of the files to the Brochier workshops in Villeurbanne, France, where the work is woven on a state-of-the-art loom, intertwining thousands of polyester and gold threads.
OCTOBER 2025
Inauguration of the work during the Durga Puja Festival in Calcutta. Curated by Sayantan Maitra Boka.
2025 – 2026
Exhibition of the works as part of the France–India Year of Innovation, accompanied by a series of conferences and workshops. This initiative, led by the Alliance Française of Delhi, will extend the artistic and technical dialogue between the two countries, focusing on contemporary creation, textile know-how, and cultural exchange.
Piece woven with gold thread – 700x200cm
