Learnings From Hanif Kureshi and Arjun Bahl : LBB’s Open House S2 Episode with St+art India
It’s Thursday the 14th of January 2021, and our newest episode of LBB’s Open House S2 is now LIVE! We’ve come a long way folks. From hosting OG Instagrammers like Kusha Kapila to knowing about the insides of dating apps in India, we’ve finally reached the final leg of LBB Open House Season 2! This week we’re welcoming Hanif Kureshi and Arjun Bahl, co-founders of St+art India. What started out as a project in Shahpur Jat has turned into a mammoth movement and foundation for public art across India. Here’s what Arjun and Hanif have to say about the “urban contemporary” art movement, millennial obsession with street art and so much more!
- How has art in general, become so viral amidst millennials
As Hanif joins us from a cave for this episode (true story!), he adds that the whole intent for St+art India is to create art in such a way that has not been seen before, and also make it accessible. He also recalls that the main idea is to do something with graffiti as a medium. Most of St+art India’s products have a lot of interaction and community involvement. Now it has become sort of this movement in India, in the visual arts space.
2. How has street art become a part of our culture
One of the most interesting things about street art is that it has managed to seep into the Indian culture seamlessly. And how did that happen? Arjun adds that this is because they’re public. They are not catering to a particular niche and are pretty accessible too. The art is literally in your face and people don’t have to go to a museum or art gallery to enjoy it. That is what makes it so easy to absorb and retain.
3. Building a brand without selling anything
When asked about St+art India’s products and how they have managed to make a full-fledged startup out of a pet project, Arjun and Hanif have had a rather interesting approach for this. Arjun adds that they do not collaborate with brands on a tactical level, but rather a visual basis. Like if the brand understands the company’s vision, it’s sorted. They work together as visual partners.
And to find common ground amidst stakeholders, it is also important to keep your point as straightforwardly as possible. They are very clear about the idea of not “selling” anything. And since the art is already out there, it has an influence over a person. Makes them go “Oh, I can be an artist too”. That is one of the many things that has helped St+art India make a brand, without actually selling anything!
When we say that this is just the start of insights and interesting takeaways from this episode, take us seriously! Tune into St+art India’s episode through our YouTube Channel or a podcast platform of your choice.
