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Avinash Kumar
Co Founder at Quicksand & UnBox
Avinash Kumar is a versatile design strategist, researcher, and artist-performer hailing from India. He is well-regarded as the co-founder of three prominent creative ventures in India - Quicksand, a strategic consulting firm, BLOT!, a renowned audiovisual collective, and UnBox Festival, an interdisciplinary arts platform. Avinash is deeply involved in entrepreneurial endeavors, focusing on design processes and fostering artistic collaborations within the Indian cultural landscape since the early 2000s.
Avinash's influence and contributions to various domains have earned him prestigious accolades. In 2016, he was featured in GQ magazine's '50 Most Influential Young Indians' list. He was also recognized with the 'Wellcome Trust International Engagement Award 2014' for his work on exploring eccentricities in Indian informal healthcare. Additionally, BLOT! under his leadership secured the VH1 SoundNation Award for the Best Electronic Act in 2014. Avinash's involvement as a fellow at ArtThinkSouthAsia and SARAI, paired with cultural exchanges facilitated by entities like the British Council, Goethe-Institut, and Pro Helvetia, further attest to his diverse and rich background in the arts.
A seasoned speaker and performer, Avinash has graced numerous international festivals specializing in arts, music, and design. His appearances at esteemed events like MozFest, Berlin Music Week, Todays Art, Biennale of International Design St Ettiene, Electron Festival, and Kyoorius Design Yatra have showcased his expansive knowledge and talent on a global stage.
At the forefront of GamesLab, an initiative incubated by Quicksand, Avinash leads a team blending research, culture, and technology. Their ongoing project 'Antariksha Sanchar,' an indie video game, has garnered significant critical acclaim for its unique exploration of an Indian-centric approach to game development.
Avinash's educational journey includes a 3-year Professional Program in Accessory Design from the National Institute of Fashion Technology. Prior to this, he completed his high school education in science at Mothers International School.
Formerly, Avinash held key roles as the Co-Founder of UnBox Cultural Futures Society, Quicksand Design Studio, and BLOT!, showcasing his ability to drive innovation and creativity across multiple organizational platforms.
