Tarini + Anant
NEW DELHI, INDIA
We caught up with the creative minds behind ‘The Irregulars Art Fair' in their super cool warehouse style space at Studio Khirki.
TARINI SETHI (LEFT) & ANANT AHUJA (RIGHT) AT STUDIO KHIRKI
NEW DELHI, 2020
What do you do? What inspired you to pursue the path you are in right now?
ANANT AHUJA: I’m a design evangelist and a creative entrepreneur based in new delhi with my arms around the world. I’m the co-founder & Managing Director of Bakheda Co’s India operations, Co-Founder & CEO at The Irregulars Art Fair. I come from humble beginnings, my first exposure to the real world was going to New Zealand and studying graphic design. I knew that my parents had put their lives’ savings into it, so I just made sure I didn’t let anything get in the way of me paying back that debt. On my way, I fell in love with typography and illustration which led to me kick starting my entrepreneurial journey straight out of school.
TARINI SETHI: I’m a fine artist and curator. The people around me and the things I see inspire me to make art. I curate because there is a huge disparity and lack of space for younger and independent artists to showcase their work in India.
ANANT'S WORK SPACE / STUDIO KHIRKI
ANANT'S DRAWINGS
How would you describe your style?
ANANT: My style is all about comfort and colour blocking.
TARINI: My style is very fluid, and bipolar. Its always a mix and match between different styles. My moms college clothes and dads current clothes are always something I gravitate towards.
If you could time travel, where would you go and what is the one item from today’s world that you will take with you? Also, what would be the ‘soundtrack’ to your time travel journey?
ANANT: I would definitely like to travel into the future where money isn’t a thing and I don’t have to work this hard to make a buck. I’ll carry a comfortable pair of sneakers. Ideal soundtrack would be - “Drop it like it’s hot”.
TARINI: I’d carry my camera to the 1930s surrealist era. My soundtrack would probably be “shaking all over” by the guess who.
TARINI’S WORK IN PROGRESS
PORTRAIT OF TARINI & ANANT, STUDIO KHIRKI
How do you think the world is going to look in 50 years? Remember, it was only 50 years ago that the Internet did not exist and man first stepped on the moon.
ANANT: At the cost of sounding morbid, the way things are headed we’re all gonna die. Seriously though I’m not very sure where this world is headed.
TARINI: I think at least half if not more of the worlds population would have disappeared or gone extinct much like the dinosaurs.
TARINI’S SCULPTURAL EXPERIMENTS
INDOOR COURTYARD, STUDIO KHIRKI
Are you reading any books or listening to any interesting podcasts at the moment? What do you feel people need to read or hear right now
ANANT: I’m not much of a reader, but every now and then I pick up a book. Last one I read was Persepolis, gifted to me by my girlfriend. Podcast – I’ve been hooked onto Designed This Way by Kawal Oberoi on Spotify.
TARINI: Last book I read was conversation with friends by Sally Rooney- podcasts I'm listening to - The journal. Everyone needs to hear the podcast "Stuff you should know"
WHERE THE BAR WAS SET FOR THE IRREGULARS ART FAIR
STUDIO KHIRKI
What project are you currently working on? Where can people find your work or learn more about you?
ANANT: Right now we’re working on a bunch of exciting projects and a lot of them come with NDAs. But to give you a quick rundown - we’re branding a fine alcoholic beverage, a Swedish paper company and some really exciting fmcg packaging design projects. Also The Irregulars Art Fair is collaborating with Pulp Society, a contemporary gallery in New delhi, and putting together a Zine Show in mid April.
TARINI: I’m working on a new series of sculptures and also The Irregulars Art Fair is co-curating a zine show with Pulp Society which opens next month. You can find my work on my Instagram page - @tarinisethi or website - www.tarinisethi.com
TARINI’S STUDIO
STUDIO KHIRKI
Finally, if I visited Delhi tomorrow, what is the first place I should go to for a good cup of coffee, a wild cocktail and the best meal in town?
ANANT: Most of the good cafes in Delhi serve Blue Tokai, not pulling brand plugs but undoubtedly they enjoy a monopoly that way. I like going to underrated places, so I’d say Khoj canteen – Nice coffee, healthy, hearty, home cooked meals.Not a cocktail person - but I’ve heard Sidecar in Greater Kailash 2 is good, my favourite food place has to be Pings in Lodhi Road.
TARINI: Best meal in town would be Dzouku / Pings / Leos / Hman or Little Saig
PLAYLIST
CURATED BY TARINI + ANANT
