Student Spotlight: Xirin ‘19

The Student Spotlight series aims to highlight the work of current MFA students, asking them to share thoughts on their practice by answering curated and peer-submitted questions.

Xirin ‘19 is an MFA Visual Arts student in her first year.
 

What themes or subjects are you currently addressing in your work?

Optimism, as a form of resistance, that’s something I think about a lot. I’m reading Lauren Berlant’s book Cruel Optimism and it’s been very helpful.
 

What materials are you working with?

Right now, I’m working on a performance using lipstick. I put it on my lips and then I kiss some of my friends’ bellies. Kind of like Dan Colen’s kiss paintings, or Janine Antoni’s Butterfly Kisses, but on the body, and mostly figurative.

I have been using fabric for some performances, mainly sheer or reflective fabrics. Fabric is such a powerful material. It’s flirtatious, feminine, dramatic, and very free. You can’t have a lot of ego with fabric—How it’s going to be, where it’s going to move, you can’t control all that. I just learned about this artist, Daniel Wurtzel, who makes these stunning kinetic air sculptures with lightweight fabrics. I’m also super inspired by Rosemary Mayer’s work. You should check her out.
 

Are there any themes or mediums you’re interested in exploring in the future?

I think “medium,” in terms of discipline, is antiquated and kind of fascist. I like that this program tries to break away from that terminology. In terms of materials, I’d really like to learn more about sound production. I’ve also never had a studio before now, so it feels appropriate to start drawing and painting, just spreading myself out more and making a mess.
 

What challenges do you face in your practice?

I love being challenged and working through something. There’s always so many challenges. Every hour there’s more. There’s practical challenges, like, “If I’m wrapped in this plastic hanging upside down, how do I get out?” Then there’s the bigger, more formidable challenges like, “Will anyone get this or will I be alone with it forever? How do I avoid being pigeonholed? Am I self-Orientalizing? Did I swallow the male gaze, because I didn’t know where to spit it out? How do I subvert this? Was that piece honest, or did I just lie? I hate myself, I love myself, I’m too lazy, I’m too busy!” Then there’s simpler questions, like, “bright red or dark red?”
 

Who are artists or works of art that you find yourself coming back to, or that challenge or inspire you?

There isn’t really a piece or an artist that I find myself returning to, except maybe Shakira. Over the last few years I have been looking at a lot of work by Abida Parveen, Diamanda Galás, Laurie Anderson, Maria Callas, Ana Mendieta, Maya Deren, Pina Bausch. There’s a long list of women whose performance work I am in awe of. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, for instance—I wish I could use my voice with even just 10% of his ability. Lindsay Kemp, moves like water! Any movie with Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel, Brittany Murphy, Béatrice Dalle, or Betty Boop. I have been listening to Dexta Daps for three years nonstop. I love dancing to his music.

There are so many Iranian artists who inspire me to work harder and be better. Armen Ra is a brilliant thereminist. Mokarrameh Ghanbari’s painting are so inspiring. Reza Abdoh made some visually awesome theatre work.

Then there’s people in my life who influence me. Justine Kurland, she makes the most beautiful photographs. I used to study with her at Sarah Lawrence and I still often send her my work for critique, so she quite literally challenges me. Kembra Pfahler is an incredible artist and I love working with her. I read this quote she said once, something like how trying to be as beautiful as Karen Black saved her life. Growing up, that’s how I felt about Shakira. Trying to be as beautiful as Shakira brings me relief. Maybe that sounds weird right now, but it might make sense later.
 

Who are contemporary artists that are doing interesting work?

Chris Ofili, Baseera Khan, Sheida Soleimani, Rick Owens, my friend Melkorka, my friend Imma. Kembra Pfahler and Orlando Estrada started this downtown New York performance art showcase, called Incarnata Social Club. There’s so many amazing artists showing their work there. I met this guy, he goes by VIOLENCE, at one of the shows. He makes really powerful music and has a fascinating ethos.
 

What has been your favorite class at Columbia so far?

Women in Music Video.
 

How do you think artists can continue growing as artists?

Keep learning. Don’t get too comfortable.