Interview
Razieh Aarabi
Razieh Aarabi is a multimedia artist and has worked in a variety of fields, from design, to art installation, performance art, acting in both theater and short films, as well as short filmmaking.
She was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1986, to a nomadic family whose ancestors were people of art, poetry, and reed playing. So Razieh had an artistic taste even before she was born. As a child, Razieh had an immense love for theater - she would watch the tele-theaters on TV, and put herself in the role of her favorite actors, trying to imitate them.
Despite her inner calling to art, she chose a non-artistic field to study at university. As a result, she received her bachelor’s degree in Social Science Research, which opened the door to social science theories.
After years of fighting and overcoming obstacles, Razieh managed to choose and follow a degree in Art Research to continue her studies. Besides the experience she gained at university, she participated in art classes and continued to increase her knowledge in this field.
Since then, Razieh has participated in many solo, group and installation art exhibitions, as well as performances and workshops across Iran.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I can say that my serious entry into the art world started from the day I realized that I have a remarkable talent for drawing. I realized this when I was sketching my old professor for the first time in a sociology class, to pass by the boring moments. When I was done, and stared at the paper, I could not believe that it was my hands that were moving!
After this happened, I decided to go to a drawing class. At first, I privately worked for two years on my art, and then I worked in a specialized workshop for a few years. The result was a group exhibition and a solo exhibition in which I participated. That's how I found myself standing at the gate of the world called art.”
What inspires you?
“My biggest source of inspiration is the world I live in, with all the events that have happened, or are happening, or will happen in future.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“The main context of my work is social issues - perhaps this is related to the surroundings in which I was born and grew up in. Necessarily, we have to listen carefully to every moment to see what's happening in our country or in our neighbor's country.
The heartbeat of the Middle East is not always beating at a regular rhythm. On the other hand, studying in the field of social sciences is an important reason why I pay special attention to society and its events.
In my work, I have never aimed to give others a message and I do not think that art or artists have a messaging mission.”
“I am interested in providing the audience the opportunity to re-read the issues that I address in my work. Of course, I don't know how successful I have been in this regard, because in my opinion, re-reading a topic makes it possible to reconsider, to ask questions, and to look for a new answer again.”
How would you describe your work?
“My artwork is like the pages of a book that talks to the audience in the language of images. Each season is different due to aging and gaining multiple experiences with each other. For example, in the first chapters of this book, you see nothing but the line, form, and pure abstraction. In the later chapters, the pages begin to move from abstraction to performance, theater, and even short films.
Be careful because, in one chapter of the book, you will see white pages that are filled with thread and needles and may bleed your hands. Now I want to fill one chapter of this book with words. I will see in the other chapters of this book what is forming in my mind.”
What artists influence you most?
“I am inspired by all known and unknown artists in the history of art - from the first day in which art was painted on the walls of caves, until today, when we read about and see each other through the Internet, and get to learn so much and feel amazed by all the ideas and works out there.”
What is your creative process like?
"This is how it works: the subject should attract my attention in a way that I can't think of anything else. So I start thinking, asking questions, reading, and researching about this topic. This process may continue for several years until I achieve acceptable findings. Like my last work, which is scheduled to be exhibited next summer, the complete process took nearly five years.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“In my opinion, this role is related to the society in which each artist comes from: developed or developing societies, capitalist or communist societies, war-making or war-torn societies, and so on.
In each of these societies, the role of artists is different because they have different perspectives.
In one, the artist plays the role of money-making, whose work increases the money of a few wealthy people, and in the other, the artist, whose role creates a strong barrier against the capitalist market.
In another, the artist only thinks about painting that which is matched by the walls of Ms. and Mr. X's bedroom, and in the other, the artist thinks about how they can paint the wall of a bombed city to bring back hope.
None can be considered good or bad, or judged because of the society mentioned.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“Among the exhibitions I have participated in, I can mention three solo exhibitions and a group exhibition.
Those who are interested can follow the photos, videos, and statements of these exhibitions through my portfolio or my channel on YouTube or on my Instagram account.
• Solo exhibition (One Day, One Experience), Drawer /Farhad Gavzan Drawing House, Tehran, Iran, 2012.
• Group video performance exhibition (Zolpidem) / Sheila Gallery, Tehran, Iran, 2012
• Solo installation exhibition (This Is Exactly Midnight) / Zarna Gallery, Tehran, Iran, 2014.
• Solo installation exhibition (Vacuum Bag) / Vista Plus Gallery, Tehran, Iran, 2017.
• Solo exhibition (plastic painting) / vista Gallery, Tehran, Iran, 2020.”
