The APOGEE English Press (AEP) sat down with Aurvind Mohanty, the CoStAAn of the Department of Art, Design and Publicity (ADP), to gain insights into their work prior to the fest.
Aurvind explained that ADP’s primary responsibilities included deciding the theme of the fest in collaboration with the Department of Visual Media (DVM), and beautification of the campus, mainly the auditorium, using their artwork. Additionally, ADP posts on various social media platforms, and brings in influencers, newspapers, newsrooms, and blog sites with the motive of publicising APOGEE.
He described how the CoStAA’s role included taking major decisions such as determining the timeline of the fest, and selecting artists to perform for the professional shows. Additionally, CoStAA would conduct meetings called ‘Event-Pitching Meets’ wherein clubs and departments would formally pitch their ideas for events. Since APOGEE is a technical fest, CoStAA tries to ensure that the events pitched have a technical component in them.
Aurvind noted that the clocktower projection—a 10 to 20 minute audio-visual show, in collaboration with DVM—was the only event they would work on. He elucidated that this year, ADP has begun pivoting to more technically advanced tools such as TouchDesigner for projection mapping in addition to their regular software.
According to Aurvind, the logistical challenges ADP faced would often be created by virtue of their work being very large-scale. When asked if the lack of deductions for APOGEE had had an impact on the department and its workings, he replied that CoStAA wasn’t leaning heavily towards deductions anyway, and they were simply curious as to whether the GBM would entertain deductions in service of a grander fest experience. Although the deductions would not take place, he seemed confident that APOGEE ‘26 would deliver due to the profits they made during the food fest.
When asked about changes in ADP’s modus operandi this APOGEE, Aurvind talked about certain small changes, such as making decisions regarding paintings much earlier, and the aforementioned pivot to more technically advanced software. He added that this APOGEE, ADP was trying a panel made completely out of charcoal, and to align more with the theme of the fest, ADP would try to incorporate a ’cyberpunk-ish vibe’ to their panels. He revealed that the panels were more than 80% complete, and the materials for decoration had been sourced, and decoration would start a day or two before the fest. He concluded that he was left with no ideas that he had been unable to execute during his tenure.
Aurvind likened his experience as a CoStAAn to that of a rollercoaster. He credited his coordinators, whose sleepless nights had allowed him to execute on his task as a CoStAAn, of seeing through a fiscally sound and ‘technically alive’ experience.
On a concluding note, Aurvind spoke of his journey from his initial interest in graphic design and 3D Art to taking a leadership position in the department. He also expressed that he wanted BITSians to pursue their interests beyond academics and assured them that one day, they would look back at it as one of the best moments of their life.