'Lack of human connection drove people to redefine public space'

Aashti Miller talks about how Mumbai has influenced her work as an architect and illustrator, and how people started finding their own little public spaces during the pandemic.

By Faizal Khan

What were you first, an architect or an illustrator? 

That is a very tough question. I studied architecture and worked at an architectural firm in the United States after I studied there for about two years. After seven years of just doing architecture, I decided to move back to India to be closer to the family. My firm in the United States suggested I continue working for them. So till today, it has been about two and half years, I have been working remotely even before remote working became a worldwide phenomenon. I work as an architect full-time. I started illustrating on the side and it has just grown into something else altogether. I started off as an architect full-time, and an illustrator part-time, but now it is full-time, full-time.

How much of an influence and impact did the great and complex city of Mumbai, where you were born, had on your style and aesthetics?

Very much, I think. It is the whole source of my inspiration at this point. I grew up in Mumbai and was always fascinated by the city. My essay for college admission was about Mumbai and how the city inspired me. It was interesting to study architecture, get a foothold in illustration, and then come back to Mumbai and see it from different eyes. My father is an architect and my mother is an artist. They are personally very inspired by the city as well. These are the discussions (about the city) that we have at home, it is pretty unusual for a family. For example, We discuss about the coastal road being built in Mumbai. Although the plans for it aren´t public yet, my father, having the architect's eyes, finds out a lot about it. My mom has an artistic perspective and she starts comparing all the machines and things, and animals. It is a very creative and conducive environment for creativity. I grew up with that. What I ended up doing, architecture and illustration, seems like a natural fit. They both clash with each other, but also complement each other.

What do creativity and public space mean to you from an architectural point of view?

I  was always interested in public space. All my college projects had to do with public space. In my architectural firm, it was again the area of biggest interest to me. I think it is one of the most untapped realm of potential. Especially with the lockdown, lack of open space, and lack of contact with others, people have come to value public space a lot. In Mumbai, for example, recently when the omicron variant hit the city, the race-course was closed down for a day, and there were so many protests because people realised during the lockdown that it was one of the only large open spaces they could go to.. I think public space is one of the most important things we as humans require, and one of the most lacking in India. But there is so much scope that it is a very exciting time to be an architect in the country.

Do you think the pandemic and lockdown has affected our sense of reality of public space?

Definitely. I have seen people finding their own little public spaces. For example, how suddenly parking became an important public space. Like a tea stall in a parking lot and people gathering around. And how it automatically becomes more public when people bring seats. It is sort of amazing to see how the lack of human connection drives people to redefine open space and public ground. 

How do different narratives of India's megacities challenge your sensitivities and expression as an artist?

A lot of my illustration work is heavily influenced by architecture. In cities, there is so much that you can observe. My illustration career started with an Instagram page. I remember one of the first things I wanted to illustrate was an image I saw in the streets of Mumbai - an old man pushing a car with a young man inside. I thought you would never witness such a scene in any other city, except in Indian megacities.

I remember looking at it and thinking, “Oh, I should illustrate a series about strange Mumbai moments you always see and never end up getting into.” There is so much life that happens in these cities that you won't find in other megacities in other countries. I truly believe this having lived in the United States and here, that we have something unique.