As part of the bigger project to create and curate photography work inspired by art movements, I started working on the second leg of the project based on the theme ‘abstract’. To give you a brief background, ‘abstract’ as an art form has been a central stream of modern art since the early 19th century. Abstraction literally means the distancing of an idea from objective referents. You may find its reflections in Impressionism, Post-Impressionism and Cubism which all proved one point, i.e., art could be non-representative. If I have to take one name who is often credited by historians as having pioneered this idea with his non-representational artwork in as early as 1912, then it would be Wassily Kandinsky.
- shape, form, color and line creating a composition which may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the world;[1]
- pulling a depiction of imagery away from any literal, representational reference points;
- isolating a fragment of a scene in order to remove its inherent context from the viewer;
- purposely staged to create a seemingly unreal appearance from real objects;
- if you look at a photo and there’s a voice inside you that says ‘What is it?’….Well, there you go. It’s an abstract photograph.”[2]
2. Keyboard | 2023
‘Keyboard‘, represents the infinite depth of the tech world insinuating cyber crimes and the dark net.
The original image was clicked during an art festival in Mumbai. However, I wanted to create something completely imaginative, unexpected and eerie out of it.
The year 2023 has been completely chaotic with a much more occupied personal life and two newborn babies. However, I clicked and created some abstract images on the go.
1. Roots | 2023
The title ‘Roots‘ has two images, one inspired by the Netflix series, ‘Dark’ and another by the popular series ‘The Game of Thrones’. I have also included the original image which is equally intriguing.
Timeline of Creation: January 2023
Places: Mumbai
Gear: Lumix S1
Elements of Visual Art: Patterns, Perspective, Symmetry
3. Mumbai Urban Art Festival | 2023
The Mumbai Urban Art Festival transforms the vibrant cityscape into a dynamic canvas, celebrating creativity and expression. This annual event showcases a kaleidoscope of contemporary urban art, bringing together local and international artists to weave a tapestry of color, culture, and innovation. From murals adorning bustling streets to immersive installations, the festival encapsulates Mumbai’s artistic spirit, fostering a unique blend of tradition and modernity. More about this event here.
Featured below are some of the abstract images I captured of this event as part of a photo walk.
Timeline of Creation: January 2023
Place: Mumbai
Gear: Lumix S1 + 24-105mm F4.0 lens
Elements of Visual Art: Patterns, Colors, Forms, Shapes
4. Tripping on the Beach | 2022
These photographs were created as juxtapositions and alignments of the same image four times. The original single image was created using long exposure (light painting) and intentional camera movements. The ambient light source was near beach sacks on one fine evening in south Goa.
Date of Creation: 3 April 2022
Place: Palolem, Goa
Gear: Lumix S1 with 24-105mm F4.0 lens
EXIF: Shutter Speed 4 sec.; Aperture f/8; ISO 800.
Elements of Visual Art: Pattern, Symmetry
5. Cosmic Commotion | 2021
Embark on a visual journey through the ethereal realms of ‘Cosmic Commotion,’ where my lens captures the dance of light and energy in mesmerizing abstraction. In this photography series, I employ the magic of motion blur and long exposure techniques, weaving a narrative that transcends the boundaries of conventional imagery. Each frame is a symphony of color and movement, as time stretches and distorts to unveil hidden dimensions. ‘Cosmic Commotion’ invites viewers to explore the intersection of reality and imagination, where fleeting moments unfold into timeless spectacles, revealing the unseen poetry within the chaos of our dynamic universe.
Date of Creation: August 2021
Place: Kolkata
Gear: Lumix S1 with 24-105mm F4.0 lens
Elements of Visual Art: Lines, Pattern, Colors
Timeline of Creation: 2021-23
Places: Kolkata, Patna & Katihar
Gear: Lumix S1 with 24-105mm F4.0 lens and Samsung Galaxy S20FE
Elements of Visual Art: Lines, Patterns, Symmetry
6. Symmetrical Worlds | 2021-23
These photographs were also created as juxtaposition and alignment of the same image multiple times to create symmetry of the lines and angles and give a sense of an unrealistic world that can only exist in the artist’s imagination.
7. Oblivion | 2022
‘Oblivion’ is not just a word but an entrenched feeling of endless emptiness, where you feel lost and insignificant. It is a termite that eats up your identity everyday making you question the worth of your existence itself. The worst thing that we can do to somebody we once loved so much is, subjecting them to oblivion, knowingly or unknowingly. The photograph is inspired by a deep entrenched identity crisis of elderly parents who slowly start getting less and less time and attention from their son/daughters.
Date of Creation: 3 April 2022
Place: Palolem, Goa
Gear: Lumix S1 with 24-105mm F4.0 lens
EXIF: Shutter Speed 1/2 sec.; Aperture f/11; ISO 100.
Elements of Visual Art:
8. Cacophony | 2021
The image depicts my aversion to the chaotic city life with horns blaring all around, particularly when you pass through a market. Everything just feels hazy and discordant. The image was taken with a slow shutter speed and intentional camera movement to connote instability.
9. The Swirl | 2010
These photographs were created by swirling water in a rusted iron bucket under the open sky. What you see as white are the reflections of clouds on the water. The image on the top is my master piece so far. If you look closer in the center, you may find the spiritual symbol of ‘Om’ in the Hindu religion formed with the swirling movement of the water and that is what makes this image my best creation so far. I must admit that I found this ‘Om’ accidentally without having the intention to create so. The entire series is created from some of my earliest images from the year 2010 taken with a point-and-shoot camera.
Date of Creation: 19 May 2010
Place: Katihar, Bihar
Gear: Lumix DMC FS42
EXIF: Shutter Speed 1/160 sec.; Aperture f/2.8; ISO 80.
Elements of Visual Art:
Creative Genes 