In a bustling studio in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood, a distinguished artist, designer, and educator with over 25 years experience in the creative industry, reflects on her journey. Jayanthi Moorthy, the founder of Aksara, has dedicated her career to promoting Indian cultural heritage, challenging stereotypes, and fostering a deeper understanding of Indian traditions.
When asked about her immigration experience from India to the United States in 2004 and its influence on her perspective, Moorthy shared a profound metaphor. “It’s always like the story where if there’s a little ant walking on the street, and you lift the ant and make it see the world, it realizes that, oh, wow, I’m walking in a rectangle, or I’m walking in a circle. It’s the same thing with Indian culture. When you’re in the culture, you just go with the flow. But when you come out of it, you realize how much you miss and how much of that culture seeps into every aspect and decisions you make.”
Her journey was not without challenges. “I came here with all the ties I had in India, working as a designer and setting up my own firm there. I had to restart everything over. But after about three to four years of working in the industry, I decided to be an artist because there was a lot of impressions I had in my mind that I wanted to let out.”
Her transition from designer to artist was fueled by a need for deeper expression. “Being an artist, if you like something, or you’re passionate about something, you have to get deeper into it. For me, it was a passion to use ephemeral materials and draw on the floor. To the Western world, that was so different.”
To connect with her roots and gain deeper insights, Moorthy returned to India for residencies. “I studied the concept of rangoli and the practice of kolam, a daily art form in the south, is often confused with rangoli. They are different platforms. “
Her expertise as an instructional designer and 3D animator also influenced her art and educational approach. “Initially, I wanted to take a break from digital work. But eventually, my art became a digital installation combining ephemeral materials with digital media. One of my installations, ‘Control Mind,’ explores the Hindu philosophy that everything is connected, just like AI. Actions here have counteractions elsewhere,” she explains.
In founding Aksara, Moorthy aimed to address gaps in cultural education. “There was a dearth of good Indian education programs in New York. They were often stereotyped and superficial. Aksara aims to bring a universal love for the culture, addressing cultural racism and underexposed aspects of Indian heritage.”
Balancing tradition with contemporary relevance is a key goal. “Aksara means imperishable. We create a community of learners, mixing visual arts, literary arts, and performance arts. For example, we used kite-making workshops to celebrate Indian independence, highlighting sustainability and inter-community cooperation in India.”
Her advice to other artists and educators is to focus on aesthetic awareness and social engagement. “Learn the tools and delve deeper into the function of the art. Use art as a tool for social engagement. For instance, we created prayer manifestos with the Tibetan community in Queens, allowing them to express their emotions and feelings about Tibet.”
Moorthy’s future goals for Aksara include expanding digital education products and multi-generational programs. “We released a digital product about Indian monuments, teaching middle school kids about lesser-known monuments beyond the Taj Mahal. We also promote creative aging, working with older adults on activities like kolam, which is beneficial for brain activity,” she informs.
Jayanthi Moorthy’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of art in promoting cultural appreciation and literacy. Through Aksara, she continues to bridge the gap between tradition and contemporary society, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Indian culture.
