Shahzia Sikander: Melting Boundaries | Art21 "Extended Play”

Episode 286: In Madison Square Park, Shahzia Sikander watches as her bronze sculpture "Witness" (2023) is installed a short distance from its counterpart, "Now" (2023), Sikander’s sculpture that sits atop the Appellate Division, First Department, Supreme Court of the State of New York. Prior to this most recent project, the artist has spent nearly three decades developing traditional Indian and Persian art techniques into a visual language that addresses colonial histories and erasures. “I like to think of my practice as an anti-monument,” says Sikander, “because it engages the past without glorifying it.”
Shahzia Sikander was born in 1969 in Lahore, Pakistan. Educated as an undergraduate at the National College of Arts in Lahore, she received her MFA in 1995 from the Rhode Island School of Design. Learn more about the artist at: art21.org/artist/shahzia-sika...
CREDITS |
“Extended Play” Series Producer: Ian Forster.
Director & Producer: Andrea Yu-Chieh Chung.
Editor: Jiale Hu.
Camera: Sean Hanley, Jane Macedo Yang, Doug Potts.
Additional Camera: Legash Covenas (UAP), Chris Roque (UAP).
Sound: Jan Midelfort, Fivel Rothberg.
Production Assistant: Stephanie Cen.
Colorist: Cédric von Niederhäusern.
Sound Mix: Collin Blendell.
Assistant Editor: Michelle Hanks.
Music: Artlist.
Archival Material: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Artwork Courtesy: Shahzia Sikander, Sean Kelly Gallery.
Special Thanks: Madison Square Park Conservancy; Appellate Department, First Division, Of the State of New York; KC Fabrications; Miotto Mosiac Art Studios; UAP.
"Extended Play" is presented by the Marina Kellen French Foundation, with support from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, the Art21 Contemporary Council, and individual contributors. Producers: Barbara & Andrew Gundlach.
TRANSLATIONS
Translated subtitles are generously contributed by our volunteer translation community. Visit our translation team at Amara for the full list of contributors:
amara.org/videos/ccJH4NIVQBue...
#ShahziaSikander #Art21 #Art21ExtendedPlay

[@checardona1151]

What does the symbolism represent in this piece What is the multiplicity of the woman in your art? Self rooted? Like in the halls of justice? What does she represent in the halls of justice ? Does this represent that it can go wherever it wants Without consequences? It's an amazing piece To the norm But to those who have eyes I am asking

[@artmovies3114]

Thought process for this creative thing is more glittering than itself. Bravo!

[@remixraptor1343]

That's really pretty, and I love the meaning behind it, especially the parts about the roots. Would love to see it in person one day!

[@Cablecol]

Yikes😱

[@wishingforhappiness7912]

yes ! I love that she put so much thought behind this piece, and the mosaic on the skirt is so pretty. I can’t wait for the other statues she plans to make

[@VibhutiNirdosh]

Very powerful and delicate.I Love it. Congratulations

[@ishmamalam1593]

The calligraphy looks great, I love the meaning behind it

[@karenwink9223]

so much deep wonder and beauty here!!

[@zackhoover5171]

Beauty my ass

[@YesClearly]

Powerful and beautiful art and words. I'm astounded by some of the harsh comments below ... probably from people who are fearful and just can't see or hear around that.

[@liamc250]

Wow...she's so articulate and thoughtful

[@zackhoover5171]

Shit art

[@Cablecol]

This ode to the demonic is so glaring🧐😡. It actually replaced a Moses statue at the NYC courthouse February 2023🤢.

[@wishingforhappiness7912]

🥺🥺

[@christodoula]

shoulda stuck with miniatures

[@johnt697]

Lol... why are the roots floating ... this doesnt make any sense.

[@Caim6311]

The Sculpture isnt a problem its the hair they made her like they wanted people to demonize and vandalized it.

[@hassansculpt__9521]

Horns could be considered a universal ancient symbol both in biblical and other ancient text to symbolize victory , wisdom,aggression, strength,dominion, defense etc. In the psalms for example Psalm 89:24, 112:9. The sculpture was not created for you to worship but to mirror your environment and sensitize the viewer to revaluate their biases . The motive behind an action should be holistically considered more than a action.

[@zackhoover5171]

@@hassansculpt__9521 nothing good has horns in any religious book my friend.

[@skogib4846]

exactly as banal, boring, insufferable and unlikable as we all imagined

[@comevisitbeautifulafrica7913]

I love it ❤❤❤

[@2Snakes]

It's a bit grotesque.

[@johnmanole4779]

It is if you are a small kid 😂

[@michaelmatias1158]

​@@johnmanole4779It's disgusting. You clearly like it for other reasons

[@johnmanole4779]

@@michaelmatias1158 I don't. It's mediocre

[@albertoballocca]

Difficult to understand why someone should look what disturbe oneself. Instead, embrace what disturbs, should be the way!

[@Cablecol]

Demonic to be exact.

[@williambreedyk7861]

I would much rather have seen more of her art, instead of a lecture on how women have had it tough.

[@LexiBellaart]

Id rather see more of her talk about how women have been oppressed continuously throughout almost every culture (except ancient Egypt ) so she misses off more apathetic men like u

[@michaelwittmann8720]

hahahaha this !! ....ART? !! hahahahah