Utkarsh Veer, the chief strategist and angel investor in Mazda Art, is the new star on the art horizon. Mazda Art, founded by husband-wife duo Vispi and Dilnawaz Tarapore is a Hyderabad based company.With his astute mind and artistic instinct, Utkarsh has played a crucial role in Mazda Art’s success. He is an innovator, advisor and mentor with expertise in the art and animation space. He is the founder and managing director of Rocksalt Interactive Games, one of the leading studios for game art. Team Art Soul Life delves into a comprehensive discussion with Utkarsh Veer for a peek into his art journey.
I am an artist myself, so art has been with me since the very beginning.
Q1. How and when did you become interested in art?
There is hardly any scope of a ‘how’ or ‘when’. It came naturally to me. I am an artist myself, so art has been with me since the very beginning. In fact, I quit my graduation in science in the second year and joined Lucknow College of Arts. I did my BFA from Lucknow University in commercial arts.
Q2. Mr Veer, you yourself are a BFA from University of Lucknow; what are your views on the current BFA programmes in India? How relevant and up to speed are they in this new age of AI? Could a fine arts greenhorn be able to survive just as-is, if not, what should their adaptation strategy be?
The programmes offer multiple ways to gain understanding of the art industry. But art is such that only real experiences can create an artistic mindset. Institutes need to push and motivate their students to explore the real art world and not just suffocate them with courses after a point. To answer the second 24 part, no matter what, the value of fine arts will not go down. AI can, maybe, make a particular kind of task fast, but not anything individualistic. And art is all about imagination and creativity which is all very personalised.
Digital platforms are offering ways for artists to showcase their work to the world
Q3. The relationship between art and commerce has been a popular and a contentious topic. While some argue that art should be created purely for its own sake, others believe that art must be commercially viable to be successful. It’s generally agreed that the disconnect between “real” art and “commercially viable” art is quite complex with no absolutes – right or wrong. It isn’t by any stretch, a fun campfire question to keep the conversation hot and burning. Isn’t there a growing recognition of the disconnect between art and audiences? Where does pretentious art fit in? How are art pieces valued – pretentious or otherwise?
No offence, but if the artist is struggling despite being a good artist because of how things are, then commercialart is a way to get the necessary means. I don’t think that there is disconnect between art and audiences. But art often explores intricate themes, stoking deep emotions and intellectual engagement. However, these elements may sometimes alienate broader audiences seeking more accessible or relatable content. Furthermore, the contemporary art world’s elitist reputation and the proliferation of avant-garde, abstract, or conceptual pieces sometimes deters the average person from engaging with art.
Art pieces made by pretentious artists would be pretentious, If the artist is true to his muse, then why will his art be otherwise. Art piece valuation is a complex process, influenced by factors like artist reputation, provenance, condition, rarity, and market demand. Appraisers, collectors, and auction results help determine an artwork’s worth.
Q4. Some artists believe that commercial success is not the ultimate goal of their work and that art should be created for its own sake – only and exclusively for its own sake alone. Others argue that artists must be ableto make a living from their work and that commercial success is necessary for them to survive and thrive. Balancing pure art and commercially viable art can be challenging. How do you see this evolving of the recent?
What is ‘pure art’? For me, it is something that is original, requires effort and comes from the innermost interact of the artist. And if this is done with a commercially viable intent, making the two ideas blend well, then it’s a win-win. Evolution will continue to happen, it’s upon us, as artists and art lovers, to understand art from where it comes rather than putting a tag of pure or commercial to it. Moreover, Balancing pure art’s creative expression with commercially viable art’s market appeal is a delicate tightrope for artists. Striking the right mix between artistic integrity and financial success often defines their journey in the creative industry.
Q5. The distinction between fine art and commercial art is often used to illustrate the great art divide. Fine art is created solely for aesthetic and intellectual purposes, while commercial art is created for commercial purposes, primarily advertising. However, this distinction has become blurred in recent years, with many artists using commercial techniques to create works of fine art. Do you have any advice as to how to go with the flow?
See, this will bring me back to the point of originality and effort. If the artist understands that and then uses commercial techniques or methods then I don’t really see much harm but if the artist has poor understanding of art itself then of course it will never work. If you are an artist or an art lover, then the priority should be art. The other angles automatically follow. If art comes later in the process, then it would never work in the long run.
Q6. As the Chief Strategist for Mazda Art, where does AI fit in your overall strategy?
Nowhere. AI in art strategy often lacks the nuanced human creativity and context required for meaningful artistic decisions. While it can assist, it’s not always fruitful in capturing the depth and subtlety of artistic expression.
Art is something that stimulates an individual’s thoughts, emotions, beliefs
Q7. Many artists worry that AI-generated art would replace human creativity and lead to a loss of artistic expression, others argue that AI can be a valuable tool, helping artists to explore new ideas and push the creative envelope. What’s your take on it?
AI is artificial, we have created it. We can’t get scared of our own invention. As I said, if you have a unique voice and originality, no AI will ever get in the way.
After all, AI-generated art can replicate patterns and styles, but it lacks the depth of human emotion, intuition, and conceptual originality. It complements, but can’t replace the unique and irreplaceable human creative spirit.
Q8. Does Mazda Art have a mission statement for promoting Indian art globally?
We will be promoting artists as much as we can at a global level. Promoting Indian art globally involves showcasing its rich diversity through exhibitions, collaborations with international artists, online platforms, and cultural exchanges. Embracing traditional and contemporary forms, India can share its artistic heritage with the world.
Our home is India, so Indian artists will obviously be at the center stage. Our aim will be to provide them with a platform and a global stage and earn the much-deserved name and fame.
Q9. Artists have found new ways to create and share their work in order to overcome the challenges posed by the recent pandemic. Many have turned to digital platforms to showcase their art and connect with audiences around the world. Is this something that you view as a stop-gap or do you envisage this as the new norm? Isn’t this sad?
I don’t think that there is anything wrong with digital art or adapting to the times. Art cannot be kept in a limited space and expected to stay in that. It will change, it will transform. And digital platforms are offering ways for artists to showcase their work to the world, so why not? Museums and galleries also offer virtual exhibitions. If the artist stays real towards their work, has original ideas and can take different points of view, then this is a platform that can actually turn out to be quite helpful for them.
Q10. Art is a turn-on, please comment.
In my opinion Art is something that stimulates an individual’s thoughts, emotions, beliefs, or ideas though the senses. Art ignites passion, stirring emotions which are usually deep-seated . The interplay of colours, shapes and stories is a symphony that awakens the soul. In its beauty, we find desire, a captivating, timeless allure.
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