“How Do Mad Artists Think?” – Reveals Viraj Rohan Circar

It was a cool Sunday evening when we met with Viraj Rohan Circar at the sprawling expanse of the Piano Man, Palam Vihar. Intrigued by the title of his workshop “How Do Mad Artists Think?” we decided to attend it and see what fresh insights into the nature of art we could develop. Assuming Viraj to be one of those snobbish art connoisseurs who would talk about art as if we all already knew about it, we were quite skeptical in the beginning.

Portrait By Picasso

However, all our assumptions disappeared when we finally met him. With his sunny disposition and a bright smile he instantly put all of us there at ease. The workshop that followed was exciting and insightful and thoroughly enjoyable. Post the workshop we were interested in knowing more about Viraj as a person and his motivations for developing a workshop module such as this around art, and hence we had a small chit chat, excerpts from which are presented here for all of you who enjoy art:

1. First, tell me something about yourself. What has been your training background and what about art interests you so much?

Professionally, I am a Creative Director at Global Team Ford. Art has always been a passion for me. A lot of what we discussed in this workshop has contributed to my professional endeavors. I strongly believe and often say that a country is only as great as the dreams of its artists. It is a pertinent form of expression and needs to be appreciated by the masses.

Andy Warhol’s Soup Can

2. How do you understand the importance of art in the lives of people?

I think art helps you overall in life. As I said, it helped me professionally as well as personally. I think it in general uplifts your lifestyle and develops a fresh perspective as it challenges you. It helps you be creative in even the most technical fields.

3. Why do you think people, in general, aren’t as interested or informed about art as a form of expression?

I feel, a major reason is unfortunately our education system. There is a direct transference of the convergent system followed by our school system towards art. Either art period is assumed as a free period or one of the most dreaded periods because the art is taught in very convergent ways with no leeway to be creative. But that’s not how art is. Art in itself is divergent.

It is sad because we live in a world where half the stuff we consume is visual. There is a real need for people to start thinking about the imagery they consume. There are two problems in our education system, one being that the content is presented in a boring way and the other is that it is presented in a disconnected way. Introducing art changes all of that as it makes the content appealing as well as interesting.

Van Gogh Self Portrait

4. How do you plan to change people’s attitudes about art through your workshops?

Ken Robinson, an English author, once talked about how we are “anesthetized” in schools. “Anesthetic” is the opposite of “aesthetic” which means that are ability to appreciate aesthetics is numbed by our education systems. When you have an aesthetic experience you feel the most alive. When you are dull and apathetic, you are literally dead. It is to rekindle that flame that I decided to conduct these workshops so people are once again introduced to the world of art and aesthetics.

Also, I have seen there are many people who are intimidated by the esoteric world of art. Hence I want to break the stereotypical notions about art being only for the artists and to bring it to the masses. With a basic initiation I feel, people would be able to overcome their irrational fear about art.

Viraj Rohan Circar

5. How has your experience been so far in terms of the response you got from people who attended your workshop?

It’s been good so far! Till now we have done four workshops, with the largest group being around 20-25 people. I sometimes tweak the workshop according to the audience and it has generated a tremendous response. I try to keep it a small, informal gathering with ample food and drinks so people thoroughly enjoy the experience. The locations I choose for my workshops are also based on the connection I might have felt with the place when I visited it earlier.

The conversation with Viraj was as insightful as the workshop I attended. The next workshop would be held at “The Toddy Shop” on December 14, 2014, from 4.30 onwards. Do attend!