With a fascination with arts and drawing, Varun, after completing his automobile engineering pivoted towards filmmaking to evolve his storytelling narratives through AI. His imagination of South Asian culture with a dramatic twist blending various concepts and ideas makes him a unique visual artist of brown culture.

Varun, How did media and visual arts happen to you? Please take us through your background.
I was an automobile engineer, primarily because it was easier for me to score marks using diagrams, thanks to my knack for memorizing them overwriting extensive text. I've always leaned towards the visual arts, but my epiphany came after working a year at Honda and watching 'Udaan,' which made me realize my true calling was in filmmaking, not engineering. My initial venture into visual storytelling revealed that static frames could be my canvas, yet I sought a more dynamic form for my narratives, leading me to filmmaking. The magic of bringing stories to life on screen was enthralling, though I often found the end product diverging from my original vision, much like fading fragments of a dream.

The advent of AI art marked a pivotal shift, presenting an exciting novelty and a canvas for experimentation. Initially, without a specific story in mind, I was captivated by the endless possibilities this technology offered, particularly in revitalizing my approach to storytelling. AI opened a new realm, allowing me to tap into a well of stories I had long harbored. It quickly became my medium of choice, revolutionizing my storytelling process by enabling the free flow of my internal narratives.

Your work is very interesting and the concept seems to be a fine blend of prompts. What process do you go through to finalize the artwork?

The essence of my artwork lies in the ideas I conceive. I dedicate 90% of my time to crystallizing the concept I wish to express. The journey begins with basic prompts, testing if my idea can take shape. Once the foundation is set, I weave my narrative, meticulously arranging each piece to tell a story—nothing is placed by chance. After creating numerous pieces, I select up to 10 that best embody my message. The refinement continues in Photoshop for the perfect composition, followed by color grading in Lightroom. On Instagram, selecting the right music is crucial; it elevates the narrative, ensuring the idea resonates more profoundly. For me, storytelling extends to every aspect, striving to present my vision in the most impactful way. Prompting has become more intuitive over time, but it's the strength of the idea that ultimately stands out.

Your artwork mostly represents the South Asian brown community. The representation is too fantastic and I am in love with the narrative each artwork has. Varun, apart from the fun aspect of this who generative artwork. What do you think are the dangers you have encountered in the process?

In any creative pursuit, there's always the risk of reaching a saturation point, where fresh trends become overused and lose their original appeal. This challenge is familiar in the generative art space, especially when a unique style starts to feel formulaic. It's crucial, then, to engage in self-reflection and innovation to rejuvenate one's creative spirit. Despite these cycles of trends, the core message of art—its ability to evoke and convey deeper meanings—remains unaltered.

For me, it's about pushing the limits of both the medium and my creativity, ensuring each piece stands out and aligns with my vision. A common misunderstanding about AI art is the notion that it lacks emotion or a human touch, simply because it's facilitated by technology. Yet, the essence of AI artistry involves more than just feeding data into a system; it's about weaving narratives, selecting themes, and making pivotal creative decisions. The AI, in this context, is akin to a traditional artist's brush or chisel, enhancing our capacity to explore and create in ways previously unimaginable.

Let's get on the AI and role of AI. Its no no-brainer that AI is impacting the life of creatives on a huge level. And so as our imagination is running wilder in infinite directions. What future do you imagine of brown culture with such creative explorations booming further?

AI's influence on the creative world is undeniable, fueling our imaginations and pushing boundaries. I envision a future where brown culture thrives through these advancements, breaking the traditional confines of sci-fi representation. AI empowers us to bring to life stories that were once just dreams or too challenging to produce. Our rich cultural heritage offers endless inspiration, and with AI, we're poised to share narratives from the brown community like never before. Expect to see an explosion of visual storytelling that celebrates our diverse backgrounds and experiences.

What are you excited and looking forward to, I wonder? Something you'd like to introduce to us that is specific to your social and cultural space of the current times?

I'm buzzing with excitement for what the future of AI holds, especially in filmmaking and the emerging realms of AR and VR. I believe these technologies will revolutionize visual storytelling, transforming it in unprecedented ways. My ambition is to be at the forefront of this change, experimenting with AI to forge more immersive experiences. I aim to let audiences feel art in a way they've never experienced before, breaking new ground in how stories are told and felt.

What intentions do you hold with your work? What do you wish to achieve?

At the heart of it all, I'm on a mission to share my soul through my art, to see if my wild ideas and thoughts strike a chord with someone out there. I'm all about diving deep into the essence of real life, then flipping it on its head with a twist that makes you go, 'Wow, didn't see that coming!

I dream of connecting with artists across the globe, sparking collaborations that cross borders and blend our creative spirits. Imagine getting a message that says, 'Hey, your art just made my day!' Now, that's pure gold for me. And if it comes from an artist I look up to? Well, that's the cherry on top, the kind of magic moment I live for.

Would you like to shout out to some music artists who may be influencing your creative direction?
That's a great question. I listen to a lot of artists and often update my playlist. However, some artists who've truly influenced my work include Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Eddie Vedder, Damien Rice, Piyush Mishra, and Kishore Kumar. These are my go-to artists, among others. I'm also deeply inspired by movie soundtracks like 'Joker' and 'Chornobyl.

Last but not least, Any fun concepts in the making?

Concepts can be elusive for me; they tend to arrive unexpectedly. After finishing a series, I often wonder if I can ever surpass it. Yet, somehow, I find myself on a quest for new ideas, which eventually find their way to me. It certainly takes time, but the moment I grasp that next idea, it's an unparalleled thrill. So yes, there are fun concepts in the pipeline, but for a sneak peek, you'll have to follow me on Instagram!