samarthsrivastav

[samarthsrivastav]

I wasn’t planning to write about this, honestly. It was just another regular afternoon on campus—until it wasn’t.

We had a guest. Not just any guest, but Prayag Shukla, a name many of us grew up hearing, reading, and quietly admiring. There’s something about the presence of someone who has lived language, who has seen movements rise and fall, who has listened to the silence between words for decades.

And what did he talk about?

Not nostalgia. Not literary theory. Not name-dropping the past. He talked about something new. Something many of us are still trying to wrap our heads around: Intangiblism.

The way he spoke about it made it clear—it moved him. That’s what stood out most. The humility. The openness to a concept that challenges how we see and use art. He acknowledged that in today’s overstimulated, algorithm-fed world, we desperately need art that does more than look pretty. Art that serves. He called Intangiblism timely. Essential. And honestly, it didn’t sound like praise. It sounded like a warning.

“The world is intangible now—our memories, our attention, our relationships. Maybe art, too, needs to evolve to hold what’s slipping through.”

That stuck with me.

We’re trained to think of art as output. As expression. As aesthetic. But what if it could be a tool for collective repair?

What if it already is—and we’ve just been too distracted to notice?

As someone who journals more than paints, and observes more than speaks—I’m not sure where I stand on Intangiblism yet. But I do know this: when a seasoned voice like Prayag Shukla takes a step back to reflect deeply on a new idea and says, “Pay attention to this”—I do.

And maybe you should too.

[samarthsrivastav]

🌿 Notes from the Intangiblism Meet

Went to a bloggers’ meet recently. Wasn’t sure what to expect—just a casual gathering, some conversations, probably a few interesting soundbites to write about later.

But the idea of Intangiblism caught me off guard. Not in a loud or sensational way—just... gradually. Like a thought you didn’t know you needed until someone says it out loud.

Ashwani Kumar Prithviwasi, the artist behind the movement, spoke simply. No flashy presentation, no dramatic statements. Just stories. Observations. Real work he’s done at the ground level, often unnoticed.

What stood out wasn’t his style—but the intent behind it.

He’s not trying to make “art that looks good.” He’s working to make art that does good.

I’ve written a lot about content—how to make it engaging, beautiful, shareable. But sitting there, I found myself thinking about another question:

Is what I create actually useful to anyone?

That question didn’t come as an attack. It came as an invitation. To rethink how we use our voices. To remember that creativity isn’t just decoration—it can be direction.

I’m not about to turn my blog into a manifesto or change who I am as a creator. But I do think something shifted.

Maybe I’ll start paying closer attention to the kind of value I bring to the table. Maybe I’ll explore more stories that aren’t centered around trends or aesthetics—but intention.

The bloggers’ meet didn’t end with a standing ovation or viral moments. It ended quietly. People left in small groups, still talking, still processing.

That’s how I know it mattered. It didn’t demand attention. It stayed with us instead.

#Intangiblism #bloggermeet #slowimpact #creativitywithpurpose #ashwanikumarprithviwasi #thinkingaloud #artandchange

[samarthsrivastav]

🌿 INTANGIBLISM -- when art decides it’s done being quiet

You ever look at a painting and think — okay but what now?

That’s the question Ashwani Kumar Prithviwasi asked and then answered with his whole life.

He calls it Intangiblism — “Why make art about pain,” he says, “when you can actually relieve pain?”

And then he didn’t just say it — he did it. Like. For real.

10,000+ underprivileged students taught for free

10,000+ trees planted during a pandemic — each tied with a rakhi like it was part of his family

Public walls turned into murals

Refugee camps transformed with color

Slums turned into sanctuaries

An entire art movement born from sweat, grief, and unstoppable hope

He doesn’t sign his work with a gallery stamp. He signs it with community. With oxygen. With kids holding brushes instead of empty stomachs.

And he gave up his name. His caste. His religion. His borders. Now he’s just Prithviwasi — “inhabitant of Earth.”

—

Tumblr, I don’t know who needs to hear this — but if you’ve been feeling like art has become too safe, too bought, too silent — read about this man. Watch what he’s doing.

Because maybe we’re not just here to observe the world fall apart beautifully. Maybe we’re supposed to help it heal — ugly, loud, and together.

Intangiblism isn’t a movement. It’s a mirror.

And maybe it’s asking you: what are you doing with your art?