Knowledge Hub
An intellectual and archival foundation bridging contemporary research with ancient wisdom, under the leadership of Sonal Jain — with bio-architectural studies curated by Morningstar Khongthaw.
Research, Articles & Essays
Living (planet) versus dead (capital)
Reclaiming aliveness through human and more-than-human engagements.
The Entropic Forest: Sharing Life, Ecopolitics, and Reciprocity
A study on ecopolitics and reciprocity in Northeast India.
Pushing Boundaries
A feature on the global impact of her work at the Venice Biennale.
Inner Lines — Exhibition Details
Documentation of river sovereignty and deep listening projects.
Official Projects & Archives
Panel at the SOIL ASSEMBLY — Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2026
Hydro Soils: From Land to Sea — THE SHAPE OF WATER by Sonal Jain (@ 1:16:20)
Desire Machine Collective
Detailed conversation on the collective's artistic trajectory and political context.
Desire Machine Collective — Wikipedia
General overview of the collective's history since 2004.
deSchool — Alternative Worldviews, NE India
Platform for pedagogical initiatives and community-based knowledge.
A Conversation with Desire Machine Collective
AAA in-depth interview on the centre–periphery divide and the experience of time.
Artist Talk at Guggenheim Museum with Desire Machine Collective
Talk at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York.
Desiring Machine by Sandhini Poddar
Critical Collective essay on the work and practice of Desire Machine Collective.
Noise Life — basis e.V. Frankfurt, Germany, 2015
Production and exhibition platform residency.
Everyone Agrees: It's About To Explode — India Pavilion, 54th Venice Biennale
Ranjit Hoskote, 2014.
Talk — Artist Portfolio, Desire Machine Collective
Extended artist portfolio talk.
PERIFERRY Residency — Video 1
Artist residency on a ferry barge on the Brahmaputra river.
PERIFERRY Residency — Video 2
Continued documentation of the Periferry residency space.
Pedagogical Tools & Institutional Reports
deSchool Workspace
Curriculum overview & pedagogical toolkit.
Museums are Closed at Night — Final Report
IFA Museum Fellowship: decolonizing the Assam State Museum archives.
Living (planet) versus dead (capital)
Reclaiming aliveness and dismantling extractive worldviews.
The Entropic Forest: Sharing Life, Ecopolitics, and Reciprocity
Northeast India ecopolitics study.
Bio-Architectural Heritage Studies
Project 2047 — Nurturing the Future
A long-term vision to plant and nurture 30 new living root bridges across Meghalaya by 2047, integrating the wisdom of local elders with 'barefoot engineers' to ensure traditional knowledge is passed down.
Defining 'Living Architecture'
Research extending beyond bridges to functional structures — ladders, swings, and tunnels — crafted from Ficus elastica. Natural forms that grow stronger over centuries.
The Living Bridge Foundation (LBF)
Established in 2018, the primary body for repairing ancient bridges and guiding the growth of new bio-structures through traditional weaving methods.
UNESCO World Heritage Advocacy
Providing critical data and advocacy for the nomination of Meghalaya's living root bridges for UNESCO World Heritage status.
Eco-Tourism & Sustainable Stewardship
Models for responsible tourism that provide local employment while preventing the ecological degradation caused by over-tourism.
Indigenous Recognition
Honoured at the 11th Balipara Foundation Award for unwavering commitment to indigenous heritage.