ART
Arooj’s 3D art captivates memories
Academically-inclined dentist, Dr Syed Juwahira Arooj, who previously taught at the Imam Hussain Paramedical College in Bemina, creates 3D art to preserve memories.
In the month of September 2021, Moulding Memories was created.
Arooj says, “I started creating art during the Covid shutdown. I had casting material at home and the artist in me wanted to make something out of it. I realised it has potential to be in the market, so I launched this business.”
A 28-year-old from Humhama has learnt this technique online for 4 weeks and has also benefited from some YouTube instructions.
Arooj explains, “I used cast material back when I practised dentistry, and the thought occurred to me: why not save the memories by using this technique?”
Process:
Moulding combines techniques, procedures, and as well as skills. Moulding is a manufacturing procedure which involves certain steps.
- Impression
- Pouring
- Casting
- Colouring
- Framing
First, an impression is taken, followed by pouring it with impression plaster, and then casting is done. After creating a cast, it is left for cooling and solidification before the colouring takes place and finally framing finishes the process.
It takes at most 3 days to complete the casting. Most materials are imported from places other than Kashmir, like Telangana and Gujrat.
“I get the maximum amount of the materials from outside the state, being a budding 3D artist, I’ve kept charges very basic for now,” says Arooj.
“I want people to know about this 3D artwork, it is not that popular here in Kashmir,” says Arooj.
Moulding allows for the creation of a wide variety of designs, it is connected to sculpting in certain ways and is helpful in producing 3D art of anything that someone wants to keep as a solid memory for loved ones.
“People want to preserve what is dear to them in 3D form, and I help them in doing so,” says Arooj.
According to Arooj, designs can be customised to include anything the customer wants to preserve as a memory, such as a hand casting or foot casting of babies, adults or pets.
“Outside J&K people preserve many memories like a blessing hand (Ashirwaad), but since this concept is new here, people usually prefer newborn handprints to be moulded into a memory,” says Arooj.
“When creating the entire impression needs to be rebuilt if a cast somehow loses a minor part or is distorted,” adds Arooj.
This 3D artwork has attracted a lot of admirers.
One feedback reads, “Beautifully created hand cast, adored it.”
Don’t stop doing this, keep your hopes high, reads another.
Everyone in the family and friends supports Arooj in taking this unusual move in her career.
According to Arooj, “Moulding Memories” is the first of its kind in the valley.
Arooj urged people to be fearless and take chances.
“In order to know how far one can go, without taking chances one can never know their limits,” says Arooj.
“Taking a risk and being optimistic is what one should have in mind while starting something new,” concludes Arooj.