FACULTY C ORNER

In conversation with Ambika Magotra , Associate Professor at Pearl Academy

How long have you been associated with Pearl? Share your experience with us.

I am associated with Pearl for last 5 years. I started as a visiting faculty and joined the design faculty full time in 2002. What impressed me in Pearl was it’s transparent and systematic approach to curriculum delivery and upgradtaion. It has been a wonderful journey since. The international collaborations give us all a global insight that finally benefits and helps PAF students to compete at global platform.

Before getting into academics, what were you engaged in?

Before getting into academics, I worked as a freelance designer. I have also put up solo exhibitions in Delhi and NCR.

How did you get inclined towards teaching profession? Which one do you find more satisfying – teaching in college or as a Designer in Industry?

A desire to learn more has kept me inclined towards teaching. Teaching really aids to be in tune with the youth. A teacher is always generating ideas which are as fresh, energetic as the youth is. The client here is young generation which keeps me abreast with the latest lifestyles, gizmos, music…. etc… This is mutual exchange of ideas and thus learning happens. There is a tremendous amount of mental growth in this profession. The love bounces back from students the greatest satisfaction of this profession.

Plan Clan is something that is synonymous with your name in PAF. How do you balance between the two roles?

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Life is not about serious academics and professional achievements alone. Life is about sharing joys and sorrows with fellow beings. PlanClan is the platform where students learn life skills. An approach to holistic growth has initiated Plan Clan. I encourage students to balance academics and extra curricular activities.

Recently you went to New Zealand for an Award Ceremony of WOW. What was it all about?

WOW is World of Wearable Art. It is a unique fashion celebration of its kind. An avant-grade event, the participants create art using the human body as the canvas. It is all about getting away from the commercial aspect of fashion to express with complete freedom to choose from materials as diverse as car parts, fishhooks, business cards, sausage skins, human hair and salmon. The competition is a talent search in the field of design across all leading design schools in world. The contest culminates with the winners who become a part of the World Wearable Arts Show/ Awards (WOW) held in New Zealand in 2007.

Out of several entries received by the New Zealand Embassy in India, ten entries were shortlisted to be sent to New Zealand for Montane WOW award nite at Willington City. Two of these ten entries were of by PAF students - Jayaraj N.P. and Ravi Gupta.

The two-hour show at NZ was spectacular and was choreographed by international class choreographer from U.S. and New Zealand. It was enthralling to see Pearl students entries being highly appreciated by audience.

Jayaraj bagged the WOW Factor which is amongst the best award.

How is New Zealand fashion different from India’s?

New Zealand fashion makes an individual style statement. All kids were observed in alternative dressing, strong styling keeping latest trends in minds .New Zealand fashion is experimental which is evident on street.

Is there is any scope of Indian Crafts?

Any craft is honest and pure. Indian Craft is deep rooted with lots of values into it. It can have stronger global impact if production is done with lots of sensitivity and quality.

What is your unfulfilled dream that you are aiming at now?

The word is ‘Professional Growth’. I would like to really expand my knowledge horizons. My quench for creativity is forever unfulfilled. So by research, traveling and reflection I want to widen my wisdom.