Introducing ARVIND KUMAR, our newest team member. As a child growing up in the ancient city of Meerut, most of life’s fancies seemed a bit out of reach. His little hands and wondering eyes were not able to grasp the vast mercantile world. So he built his own. The back covers of his notebooks became the playground of his imagination and creativity. Dreams of boots, jackets and jeeps became a reality. Life was drawn on the last pages of his notebooks.
Visualizing was a personal endeavor. It gave pictures to his dreams. It was a relationship with his own self. And then as life moved forward, social interaction got involved. To visualize was not just to translate one own inner selves but also to see through the ideas of others. To visualize was to read the minds of people. To visualize was to use logic to narrow down and beautifully craft the dreams of others into viable worlds.
An interview with the concept artist.
What is concept art?
Arvind: The use of logic to relay imagination is concept art. Logic maybe be subtle or direct but it is paramount to any creation.
What has been your experience with the art industry?
Arvind: I have always been fascinated with learning newer things. Different things, stranger things. I started with sketching in drawing books. I wanted to explore more dimensions. So I picked up sculpturing. I studied art at Institute of Fine Arts, Gaziabad. Then I did my MFA from Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University. I got interested in direction. I realised the importance of movement in art. I experimented with classical animation. I learnt from any source that I could access. I worked for animation studio visualizing explainer videos. Later I even started my own studio with my friend.
What part of your life involves art?
Arvind: All artists need conducive environment. Support and understanding from family and friends are very important for art to grow. Ideas need to be exchanged. Views should be encouraged. Life is too short to play it easy. Expression is the heart of my life. I joined theater to expand the scope of my own expression. It was never about the audience. It was about me getting involved in my own life. To interact with real emotions. To give language to my movements. Similarly I loved music and made it a part of my life. Fine arts is very important to me.
What are the markers of a good concept art?
Arvind: In terms of the production cycle, markers of a good concept art are costing, time duration, ability to relate to real life, beauty, fine crafting the client’s idea, imaginative and most importantly the ability to fulfill the motive.
Concept artist must strive to go beyond the line. Even when one is in the office, the mind should drift outside the concrete walls and wander the world. A frequent oscillation between reality and imagination is the mark of a good concept artist. Inspiration is everywhere. Even the most ordinary of objects can inspire the most elegant worlds.
What else other than concept art excites you?
Arvind: I love to make life portraits. I like looking at people and reading into their lives. Every face has an universe hidden behind. All those stories lurking behind their eyes, in their expressions, in their movements, in this stillness. I see a man well dressed for the office, sleeping in the metro, I try to imagine his last night, his home, his dreams, his fights, his accomplishments. Each line is a statement that provokes a vast world behind.
Do you have any final words?
Arvind: Life is nothing without art. People without art are unfortunate to bear their ordinary lives. They are never able to escape the domesticity of their lives. Art evolves us and makes us look at life with a higher perspective and zeal.
Pandoras: “We accept you, one of us! Gooble Gobble!”
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