Zankevich wields this unusual gamut of analogue and digital collage-making with aplomb, concocting paintings that manage to balance between striking visuals and technologically astute innovative thinking. Now that her works are being sold as NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, she’s redefining not just the creation of art, but its very value in this digital age. It reflects Ivana’s art for tradition coupled with innovation that is truly irresistible to collectors and art lovers alike.

While art has always been about pushing the boundaries, Ivana Zankevich sees it essentially as an act of blurring them. Based in the UAE, she is a digital and analogue collage artist who has mastered this delicate craft of merging these two forms into cohesive, animated masterpieces. A single style, her work arrests attention not only for aesthetic beauty but more so for the reason that it can fuse together elements from different worlds, both physical and digital.

Collage historically comes from the beginning of the avant-garde through Dadaism and Surrealism movements, which is often characterized by the physical layering of the material such as paper, photos, and textiles. Zankevich has taken this more traditional approach and modernized it by incorporating digital techniques into his work. The analogical work of hers is about the careful composition and layering of textures, colors, and themes, while her digital work enhances those layers, adding often motion or subtle animation that gives life to static imagery. Such an innovative blend of old and new imbues her artwork with a distinctive character, and one cannot go without noticing it. With every piece, Zankevich brings into life a story-something which speaks deeply of the two mediums she has chosen. The result is a vibrant, ever-changing art piece: one that plays with perception and asks the viewer for an idea beyond the canvas.

Ivana Zankevich’s jump into NFTs opened new avenues for both creative expression and commercial success. NFTs are a form of digital assets using Blockchain technology in proving ownership and the authenticity of unique pieces of art. Zankevich pioneers a new form of artistic expression by employing NFT technology to turn her digital collages into works where traditional forms of art meet cutting-edge technology. It places her practice within a global audience and gives it a place in the booming NFT market. Whereas traditional art exists in galleries or on personal walls, NFTs allow her works to continue living on digital platforms, accessible to collectors and art lovers from around the world. This ensures that her art will stay relevant in today’s digital age and sets a new precedent for how collage art could be both consumed and valued.

The creative process is really detailed and multi-faceted for Zankevich. First, she creates an analogue collage by layering different textures, photographs, and materials in such a way that provides the base composition. The striking feature of her attention to detail is how she selects every element with care, be it a fragment of a photograph or torn, vintage paper. Once the physical collage is prepared, Zankevich digitizes the work by using digital means of enhancing and animating the piece. In one stroke, the digital element brings a whole new level of complexity to the art: dynamic features that would have been impossible in an entirely analogue medium, like movement and depth. The animation in her works often brings the characters or objects of the collage to life, jumping off the screen or making more subtle shifts in their environment.

Themes of identity, memory, and time consistently find their place in her works, making her art intellectually engaging and, at the same time, memorable to the viewer. Her use of digital elements lends layers of meaning to her collages as she examines how technology intersects with human emotion and memory.

The UAE has grown more into a modern art hub, mostly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Due to the very diverse population and culture in the UAE, it offers a ground for experimentation and innovation for artists like Zankevich. Its commitment to fostering artistic talent and embracing digital transformations wholeheartedly has made it an ideal place for this hybrid form of art to take root. Having the base in the UAE, Zankevich enjoys the company of progressive-thinking artists, collectors, and galleries open to digital and NFT art. It was also the rich UAE art scene that gave her the opportunity to present her works in a number of prestigious venues and exhibitions to solidify her status as an important figure in the landscape of contemporary art.

The future holds limitless possibilities for Ivana Zankevich. Remaining at the crest of this shift in artistic evolvement, the line between digital and physical art will continue to blur. Zankevich brings a more evolved definition to collage art, perhaps, because he links analogue collage techniques with those using digital tools so effortlessly. Her foray into the NFT market is but the beginning of a larger trend, where artists employ technologies not only to enhance their creative auspices but to challenge the very way art is valued and consumed. Whether in physical galleries or digital spaces, Ivana Zankevich’s work continues to leave onlookers in awe, forcing many to reconsider common understandings of art in an increasingly shifting world. Since the world of NFTs is still growing, Zankevich’s creative approach has made sure that her work will be timely and enjoyed for years to come.

Able to marry the best of both worlds, traditional collage and most advanced methods in digital, Ivana Zankevich is indeed an artist to be watched. Her work challenges the boundaries of mediums not only in art but also pushes the conversation regarding our perception and valuation of art in the digital age.

Ashish Kashyap, the Founder and CEO of INDmoney, embarked on a mission to empower consumers by providing transparency and control over their financial lives. Recognizing the hurdles created by the lack of transparency in the financial services sector, he envisioned a fintech platform that would simplify investing in US stocks, mutual funds, and other assets. Launched in 2019, INDmoney has experienced remarkable growth, boasting over five million users and facilitating transactions worth approximately $2 billion in the past year.

A Vision for Financial Empowerment

Ashish Kashyap’s journey with INDmoney began with a vision to address a fundamental customer problem – the desire for financial control. He understood that most consumers aspired to take charge of their financial well-being but were hindered by the opaqueness of financial services. This realization fuelled his commitment to create a platform that would provide clarity and empowerment to users.

Exponential Growth Powered by Trust

INDmoney’s journey has been characterized by exponential growth, particularly over the last 12 to 16 months. The platform’s success is evident in the transactions totalling $2 billion, reflecting a growing trust between consumers and the platform. This trust acceleration has been a significant driver of INDmoney’s expansion.

Building Trust through Value:

While many financial service providers rely on cashback offers and coupons to attract customers, INDmoney’s strategy focuses on delivering exceptional value to end-users. This approach has not only optimized customer acquisition costs but has also attracted millions of users. According to Ashish, building trust and engagement should be cantered on the core value of the product rather than monetary incentives.

Rapid Value Delivery:

In today’s competitive landscape, customers expect quick and tangible value from the services they use. Ashish emphasizes the importance of providing value to users rapidly, often within the first few days of on boarding. Delayed gratification can lead to user attrition, making it critical for businesses to demonstrate their unique value propositions early on.

Navigating the Crypto Wave:

Ashish Kashyap is a proponent of crypto currencies and envisions them evolving into their own asset class in the future. However, he underscores the importance of government-backed regulations to safeguard consumers from crypto currency scams. Additionally, monitoring the source and movement of funds in crypto trading is essential to maintain integrity in the industry.

Embracing Entrepreneurship in India:

Ashish believes that the current environment in India offers an exciting opportunity for budding entrepreneurs. With access to essential tools and resources and a wealth of engineering talent, aspiring business leaders can launch and scale their ventures. He encourages entrepreneurs to embrace failure as a part of the journey, emphasizing the need to learn from mistakes rather than being risk-averse.

Ashish Kashyap’s journey with INDmoney is a testament to his commitment to revolutionizing financial well-being in India. Through transparency, value-driven services, and a commitment to trust, he has established INDmoney as a platform that empowers users to take control of their financial lives. As he navigates the evolving landscape of finance and technology, Ashish’s vision for the future of financial services promises to continue driving positive change in the industry.

When engineers Aakriti and Shaunak Chhaparia embarked on their entrepreneurial journey, they set out to make a significant impact in the world of cosmetics. Their passion for clean and vegan beauty products led them to establish La Mior, a brand that not only offers a range of high-quality makeup and skincare items but also champions ethical and sustainable practices.

Identifying a Gap in the Market

The Chhaparia duo initially aimed to launch a direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand for vegan products, driven by Aakriti’s love for makeup and Shaunak’s strong operational background. However, as they delved deeper, they realized a glaring gap in the market – the absence of home-grown manufacturers specializing in clean and vegan skincare products. This realization sparked an opportunity, and the couple decided to establish their manufacturing facility to fill this void.

Pooling their savings, the Chhaparias invested Rs 90 lakh to set up their research and development lab in Surat, Gujarat, in 2018. The following year, LAMIOR Pvt Ltd was founded, with a mission to provide not only their own brand but also to cater to the needs of other home-grown brands and salon chains.

From White Labelling to In-House Brand:

La Mior’s journey began with white labelling cosmetic products for various brands and salon chains, including the likes of Enrich Salon and Daughter Earth. This strategic move allowed the Chhaparias to build a strong foundation and gain valuable insights into the market. As the demand for clean and vegan cosmetics continued to rise, they saw an opportunity to introduce their own in-house label – La Mior.

La Mior’s product portfolio encompasses a wide range of clean and vegan beauty items, including vegan lipstick, eyeshadow palettes, foundation, moisturizer, and more. The formulations are predominantly derived from plants and super foods, in line with the brand’s commitment to ethical and sustainable practices.

Scaling and Future Aspirations:

Driven by their dedication and a growing market demand for clean and vegan cosmetics, La Mior witnessed remarkable growth. The company achieved a significant milestone, doubling its revenue to Rs 4.2 crore in FY21. Presently, around 40% of La Mior’s revenue comes from white labelling, while the remainder stems from its private label. In FY23, the company’s revenue soared to Rs 9.6 crore, and it has set its sights on reaching Rs 20 crore by the end of the fiscal year.

The Chhaparias attribute their success to a steadfast commitment to reinvesting profits into the business. Their vision for La Mior extends beyond financial growth; they aim to be a leader in the clean and vegan cosmetics segment in India, catering to the discerning needs of consumers.

Educating and Innovating:

As pioneers in the relatively nascent clean and vegan cosmetics market in India, Aakriti and Shaunak Chhaparia understand the importance of education and innovation. They are aware that consumers often perceive clean and vegan products as less effective than their chemical counterparts. To address this misconception, La Mior focuses on crafting high-performing products that provide tangible results, all while promoting the benefits of clean beauty.

Differentiating themselves from established brands, Aakriti and Shaunak leverage La Mior’s robust manufacturing capabilities as a competitive advantage. They envision the brand’s expansion into the salon industry, following a trajectory similar to successful ventures like Clinique. Collaborating with salon chains and exploring offline presence through a shop-in-shop model are among their ambitious plans to reach Tier I and II cities across India.

In a market that is evolving towards conscious consumption and sustainable choices, Aakriti and Shaunak Chhaparia’s La Mior stands as a testament to the power of entrepreneurship and innovation. With their dedication to ethical practices, commitment to education, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, the couple is poised to lead the charge in shaping the future of clean and vegan beauty in India.