Art and iPad: AR, algorithms and coding give artists more tools to work with

“The medium is the message” – Canadian philosopher Marshall McLuhan. The Digital Artists in Residence programme at the 2023 India Art Fair in New Delhi, that will go on till February 12, hosts three artists – Varun Desai, who wears many hats, including those of a coder and music producer; Mira Felicia Malhotra, who is a visual artist and illustrator; and Gaurav Ogale is an artist, poet and writer. Take for instance, ‘Ascension’, an illustrated family portrait by Mumbai based Mira Felicia Malhotra, which utilises augmented reality to add an otherwise hidden layer of emotions, sentiments and feelings, to what otherwise looks like a single dimensional artwork. “India has such a vibrant creative community, and we love seeing the ways these talented artists are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on iPad Pro to take their innovative ideas to the next level,” says Bob Borchers, vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing at Apple. Kolkata based Varun Desai’s showcase at the 2023 India Art Fair in New Delhi, called ‘Dimorphism’, is essentially emerging in the final form because of the use of 3D scanning through a LiDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging, sensor on an Apple iPad Pro and animation work on a Mac Studio and Studio Display setup.