For ArtoMatic 2012, Rahul Saha’s exhibit, Body Language, can be found on the 10th floor, in a large room toward the South East.  He says that he selected a space that allows viewers to step back and take in the whole display.  “I also wanted a space on a floor with a bar and active stage!”  [ed note:  oh the strategies we employ when we try to figure out the best foot traffic for the show!]

Rahul says, “One of the most interesting things I’ve observed in watching the people who stop at my space (yes, I just stand back and listen) is hearing them work through deciphering the “Body Language” images.  Some are definitely more obvious than others.  Once they’ve done so, I hear them discussing why they think the person chose the word.  This is what I love!….people discussing art!  Oh, and the Washington Post Express indicated that my display was worth seeing, and put it on their ArtOMatic bingo cards (shameless self plug…) [ed note:  good for you – we should all plug ourselves as often as possible!  Which is why I do these interviews – to give artists ready to be “out there” a place to be heard!]

This ArtOMatic is Rahul’s 2nd.  His first was 2009 and he notes that he “had a blast”.  Like many other artists who have been interviewed here, Rahul ‘s favorite part of doing ArtOMatic was “meeting and interacting with all sorts of creative folks.  I’ve been waiting for the next ArtOMatic ever since!  I plan to participate in as many as I can!”

Rahul says that in general his work tends towards darkness, sensuality, and quirkyness.  “Even though my ArtOMatic display this year doesn’t really address my usual emotions, it does portray my love of the human form.”  He notes that he also loves creative portraiture even though he doesn’t do it that often anymore.

Since he has an aerospace engineering background, Rahul approaches photography as a melding of art and science, and instructions and rules are always on his mind.  “The complex cameras of today require technical proficiency and understanding of the digital negative.  This is contrasted by the creativity inherent in visualizing the scene, manipulating the model/still life/myself and capturing the most pleasing lighting.  The art and science come together when I recreate in print what my mind saw at the time of the photograph.  Manipulating the capture of the manifestation, whether in a darkroom or on a computer, only builds upon reality to make a statement.  Success is an image that is thought provoking or that generates an emotional response.

Describe what you’ll be showing this year and how you chose the theme.

Last ArtOMatic I displayed several pieces from one of my series.  While I think it went over well, I felt that ArtOMatic is very much about creation of art for ArtOMatic.  This time I wanted a project that I specifically put together for ArtOMatic and had more than a theme – I wanted a project that had a message that I felt strongly about.

The project I put together for ArtOMatic 2012 is called “Body Language”.  “Body Language” is a series conveying the importance of personal expression coupled with our

right to freedom of speech.  Self expression comes in many forms but is often repressed by society through public opinion, outcry, or misguided litigation.  The track taken by the project explicitly blends freedom of speech with freedom of expression, demonstrating that the two are one and the same.

A central part to my display is the first few lines of the First Amendment written out with the nude figures.  Each of the other subject pieces picked their own words, words with deeply personal meaning.  However, art is about creation and then interpretation.  It’s interesting to make people think about the words and what it means to them.

In addition to the static display, I have an interactive magnet board with various nude figure letters available for people to create their own words.  The participants are encouraged to snap a photo and email it to a special address where I then post them online to share with folks.

How long have you been making art?  What do you do when/if you hit a slump?

I never really considered myself artistic until recently.  About six years ago, I discovered my love of the human figure.  My work is my personal exploration of the figure as well as a personal challenge to the models to experiment and push the body.

Slumps are depressing and can be devastating.  Several times I’ve found myself questioning what I’m doing, what I’m trying to achieve, and whether or not I’m just lathering, rinsing and repeating!  When this happens, I’ve taken a break from image making.  I try and focus on other aspects of my life and not really think about artistic creation.  I always return because the potential of a specific goal has inspired me.  I was actually in a slump when ArtOMatic 2012 was announced – it was just the catalyst to get me going again and finish the project for the show!

Who are your favorite artists and what inspriation do you draw from them?

I’ll admit that I’m not much of an art scholar, though I was exposed to many artists, primarily Impressionists, when I was young and lived in Europe.  However my inspiration comes from my interaction with my subject.  While I tend to develop broad projects to help focus my work, my true creative spark comes through interaction.  When the chemistry clicks, the images come out great, the editing process rides the wave of creativity, I edit better, and I enjoy the process a lot more.

Have you had a chance to look around ArtOMatic yet this year?

I’ve had a chance to see a bit.  There’s still plenty more to go through!  Some of my favorites so far have been displays created with reclaimed items.  People who can create art out of discarded items are true geniuses!  Displays that also stick out in my mind are Michael Auger/Arty4Ever, Rose Richey, the Camera Obscura and BACON!

Rahul’s work has been featured in Juxtapoz magazine and Gaunt magazine among others.  His work was also selected for the Indiana University permanent art collection as part of their Kinsey Institute collection.  In March he was a featured artist through RAW .

His webiste:  http://www.eyeofraphoto.com

Facebook:  http://facebook.com/eyeofraphoto

To read more interviews and see more photographs from ArtOMatic 2012 and earlier ArtOMatics, go here.