Anuj Anjaria is a multidisciplinary artist and designer who has carved a unique niche in the world of kinetic art through his innovative company, Motionworks. Based in Ahmedabad, Anjaria blends his background in Interior Design from CEPT University with a profound exploration of movement and artistic expression.
Motionworks stands out as a pioneering studio that transforms static spaces into dynamic artistic experiences. The company specializes in creating intricate kinetic artworks that challenge traditional perceptions of art and design. By introducing the concept of Space Kinematics, Anjaria has expanded the boundaries of artistic interpretation, exploring how movement can transform visual experiences.
Beyond his design expertise, Anjaria is also a musician, playing the Santoor, a traditional hammered dulcimer that reflects his deep appreciation for rhythmic and nuanced expressions.
The studio’s impressive portfolio includes significant installations at major Indian airports and cultural spaces. Notable projects like the White Peacock and Wood in Wood Kinetic Wall at Mumbai’s T2 International Airport showcase Motionworks’ ability to create large-scale, complex kinetic installations.
Anuj Anjaria MotionWorks
As part of DTalks, Anuj Anjaria expresses his thought process behind his art and design practice.
Q. How would you describe your signature design aesthetic, and how has it evolved while working in India?
Anuj Anjaria: We are currently the only studio which specifically focuses on using motion as a part of design for lighting, sculptures and installations. With the Indian expertise in making mechanical parts and really good engineering skills, my work has greatly evolved using such talent.
Q. What influences and inspires your current work? Could you share some movements, designers, or elements of Indian culture that have shaped your practice?
Anuj Anjaria: I believe that my taalim of our traditional Indian classical music has helped me understand the idea of repetitive cycle in a movement-based mechanism, just like how a taal has a specific cycle.
Q. Could you walk us through your creative process? How do you move from initial concept to final execution?
Anuj Anjaria: The idea of how a movement should be generally gets translated to a mechanism first. But then after figuring out the working of it, the outcome is usually based on what movement is possible rather than what.
Q. Kinetic art incorporates movement as a key element in its composition. What prompted your interest in it?
Anuj Anjaria: Mainly how things work has always intrigued me and thus this was a whole new world for me.
Q. How does your practice as a musician influence your design endeavours?
Anuj Anjaria: In the case of Indian classical music, there are many parallels between design and music. For example, the tall always gives us the rhythmic structure, the melody always gives us a form of it. Is it a smooth curve, a sharp line, a volumetric object, and lastly, the type of instrument gives us the kind of texture and material that is there. There are always such small analogies that keep happening between my music and my work, majorly indirectly.
Q. Your work often involves collaborations with artisans and other creatives. What draws you to these partnerships, and how do these collaborations enrich your design practice?
Anuj Anjaria: One can never achieve great work by working alone in today’s times as there are a varied skill sets available to us now. Thus, involving my expertise in the mechanics and use of metal with any other artist always helps accentuate the collaborative work.
Q. Looking back at your portfolio, which project represents a significant turning point in your career, and among your recent works, what project are you most proud of and why?
Anuj Anjaria: The product called the firefly was one project that really made me rethink using kinetics into residential spaces where the sculptures become functional sculptures as well.
The project, which made me most proud, would be the Shutters made for the Kochi Biennale Pavilion. It was the first ever project which was in the Architectural scale and we could do it against all odds.
Q. What unique challenges and opportunities have you encountered as an emerging designer in the Indian design industry, and how are you working to overcome these obstacles?
Anuj Anjaria: Movement based pieces have always attracted questions about service and life. With the kind of dusty cities we have, I have always faced people resisting to commission me for such work. Having said that, we have worked hard in most pieces for their longevity and robustness.
Q. How do you approach sustainability and eco-friendly practices in your designs, particularly considering India’s traditional wisdom and contemporary environmental challenges?
Anuj Anjaria: Currently we are focusing only on optimizing the making process.
Q. What’s your most exciting recent design or art discovery that’s influencing your current thinking?
Anuj Anjaria: I am currently looking at natural phenomena like the currents in the sea, or the way the sunlight falls through the leaves of a tree and trying to understand how to create these experiences.
Q. How do you build visibility and reach out to potential clients – what platforms and strategies have worked best for you?
Anuj Anjaria: I have used mainly 3 ways to showcase my work. One is through Instagram/social media, which does help in putting my work out in the market, so that everyone has access to it. Secondly, it’s through word of mouth where Architects and designers suggest my studio work to clients and lastly through exhibition platforms like Raw Collaborative.
Q. From your experience, what are the crucial dos and don’ts for young designers trying to establish themselves in India, and what professional forums or communities would you recommend they join?
Anuj Anjaria: The most important thing I would suggest is that each designer should find out how to differentiate between projects that will run your home versus projects that will motivate you and make you go.
Q. As you look ahead, what kind of projects or directions would you like to explore?
Anuj Anjaria: Small scale but exquisite.
Q. For aspiring designers looking to make their mark in India’s design landscape, what wisdom would you share from your journey?
Anuj Anjaria: As long as you enjoy your work, there is no stopping you.
Image Courtesy: Anuj Anjaria
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