A plain canvas, paper or a wall in front of you is a space waiting to be filled. The calculation of positive and negative spaces transpires in your mind and a composition emerges. Sometimes you choose the canvas for your creation; at other times it inspires a design.
Everything needs a space. The occupied area is the evidence of existence. The position of an object, its size also matters. Which elements of a composition will be larger, which will be comparatively smaller, which will be the focal point and how to create a harmony among all, are the decisions that an artist makes. This is called Isolation or Domination in the language of design and used in division of space. This division also depends considerably on the subject of the creation and available surface area. As a calligrapher, I have worked on building facades and compound walls and also created calligraphic designs for things as small as a wrist watch and jewelry.
When working on large scrolls, huge panels of 40 ft. X 40 ft. or floor to ceiling walls, one must deliberate carefully before final execution. I often get asked questions about my creative process in terms of unusual spaces - what can be done with just letters and words? What media and tools will you use? Will separate sections come together as one harmonious composition? People may wonder, but to me that space is a chance to experiment something new and create something amazing.
The process begins with me just taking in the expanse and letting my eyes explore it. Then I spend imagining and enjoying the space in my mind for the first couple of days. After an elementary mental composition, the tangible work begins. The execution involves careful deliberation of the client’s requirements and attention to principles of design. The actual surface / object is also a deciding factor for the design. Is it a piece of wooden furniture or a plastered wall or a glass panel? What is the level of visibility? I often create a unique style or to add certain elements in order to elevate the aesthetic quotient of the overall look.
Sometimes the space and the ambiance inspire my calligraphy. The wall made for Ekbote Furniture Showroom is one such example. The entire process was spontaneous creativity... no rough work was shown to the client and there was no excessive use of colours. Simple black and white. I was so confident of the vision I had, that my told my dear friend Ekbote that he should pay only if he liked the final outcome or else paint over the entire thing. Well... the piece still adorns the wall and appreciated by many. My friend too was amazed to see how such a beautiful 'Akshara-Chitra' could be created in such a short time. This wall was a start to a long list of walls, furniture and other spaces that have transformed and come alive with calligraphy.
It all starts with a single dot. Once a line, point or letter appears, it automatically starts dividing the space or canvas. A single stroke or letter appears and the second is drawn to suit the first. This is where one starts thinking about how that balance will be and where will the next appear. It gets faster and easier with practice and experience. I remember a demonstration in Nagpur where I had to work on a 15 ft. X 70 ft. flex. The larger-than-life space was intimidating for the onlookers and triggered their curiosity. I was just taking all the space in, working on it in my mind. Once I thought of the various possibilities and combination of letters and styles, I began thinking of tools followed by the techniques and how pressure can be applied to manipulate the thickness and add dimensions. Finally, the composition began with using a roller to fashion an eight-foot circular stroke. Then I started working with a mop. Even though a concrete image is prepared on the canvas of your brain, there can be a few doubts when the actual work begins. This is the moment that you rely on your knowledge and experience to guide you through the attempt. One by one other artists joined in and like me started to absorb and enjoy the space. Everyone understood each other’s style, understanding, skills and used that vast canvas so beautifully that a remarkable tapestry emerged through our combined efforts. This showed us that the space and this big picture belongs to all of us.
Space can be worked on individually or collectively, in isolation or cohesion, in monochrome or vivid colours or texture. It can have a single stroke or a harmonious composition. Each space is unique and waiting for the artist to make a mark on it.
Achyut ji, Usefulness of SPACE is Supperbly Narated.... Everybody who loves your CALLIGRAPHY shall come to know how difficult is The SPACE in CALLIGRAPHY & shall get all the answers which are in his mind......
Thank you Very much....
The explanation of the the soulful experience of positive and negative space is very thought provoking
Its really great, what an achievement. What display of art in calligraphic forms.