Words fall short when trying to describe the vibrant natural beauty of The Western Ghats of India. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for all the right reasons. It is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world and is adorned with lush tropical forests, cascading waterfalls, and mist-covered peaks, resembling a fairytale landscape. It is home to a treasure trove of diverse flora and fauna, with countless species of plants, trees, and flowers painting the hillsides in vibrant hues. The rich biodiversity supports a myriad of wildlife, including majestic elephants, elusive tigers, and colorful bird species that fill the air with their melodious songs. What better way to pay homage to such an exquisite place than by memorializing it through art?

That is exactly what Bangalore-based visual artist Goji, in collaboration with Johnny Ganta recently did as a part of a project for Echoes of Earth, India's greenest music festival. The artist created a visual lexicon of the flora and fauna that thrives in the Western Ghats. Check it out below.

In a candid interview with Homegrown, Goji discusses the project, his artistic journey, influences and more.

Tell us about your project.

This year I had the opportunity to work with Johnny Ganta to form an asset library of flora and fauna depicting the beauty of the Western Ghats and its ecosystem, for the Echoes of Earth festival. Most of the assets were created using Midjourney and later composited by John and the festival team to create stunning visuals like the cover art and the animation at the end. There is also an artist spotlight WIP that we created which would've been our ideal way to present the artist cohesively with the assets. Unfortunately, they resorted to another route.

What are some things you learned while putting this project together?

Midjourney can get you about 80-95% close to your creation, but it doesn't necessarily give you the time exact image that you have in your mind - you need to do some things manually to achieve the final result.

Describe your creative process and the purpose with which you create.

Most of my creations are an attempt to distill my ideas from things I watch and experience on a daily basis, sometimes the creations are quick, and other times I spend days curating the right image. For me, these pieces are an invitation to my imagination and the lens through which I see the world.

Who have been some of your biggest inspirations over the years of your artistic career?

Beeple, bebop.genesis, Man vs Machine, nuderobot, Nick St. Pierre

Tell us about a project you wish you were a part of.

India's first AI feature film.

Who are some artists who are currently on your radar?

Paul Trillo, Prateek Arora, talented.agency

Follow Goji here.

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