Shirazeh Houshiary - 'Art Has Ambiguity' | TateShots

Shirazeh Houshiary discusses how she wants art to have an ambiguity, to make you think and question, not just to show and tell. 'The black square is a protest against knowing', the artist says.
At first glance, Houshiary's 'Veil' 1999, is a square, black painting. but as we see in this video, Houshiary's work on canvas is built up through layers of pigment and geometric mark-making.
Born in Iran, Shirazeh Houshiary has lived and worked in England since 1973, and her work has consistently drawn on Islamic traditions, particularly on Sufi mysticism.
Here she discusses other works made at a similar time, and returns to themes of light and darkness, visual perception and judgement, explaining: "I'm trying to explore how we see the world".
Find out more about Shirazeh Houshiary: goo.gl/GDCfZu
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[@Tate]

"The black square is a protest against knowing." Houshiary discusses how she wants art to have an ambiguity, to make you think and question, not just to show and tell.

[@rebeccajarmanartist]

Very interesting - questioning how we perceive or visualise reality.

[@buteforce]

The black square is a square and it's black!

[@yvancharriere2400]

(,#DANGER) (,#MICE)

[@yvancharriere2400]

(,AGAINST) : QUESTION OF #ITS #OWN MEANS #RELIABILY #ON #SPACE #TIME

[@yvancharriere2400]

(,PLUS) : #RELIABILITY #SELF #SILENCE

[@knownaigm]

I am always frustrated when I hear an artist talk about the huge ideas and questions they are tackling in their work (which is great) but then you see the work and find that it doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of that topic... Every piece she discussed here simply fell flat in their attempt to truly drive home an idea or question. Conceptually these are all sketches at best. I would like to see her work in person and see if there is more to it.

[@kikeheebchinkjigaboo6631]

no name genocide of Beauty

[@ubergeraldine]

no name Amen to that! Exactly what I thought as soon as she started talking! The method she uses is what wall painters have done for centuries!

[@TariqKhan-np2wx]

@@ubergeraldine spoken like a someone who thinks they can do better and would not know how to use their medium.

[@cstrongman]

I think her art accurately embraces the magnitude of what she discusses - potentially because I consider her art an accurate reflection of such concepts. You might see the same concepts differently - that doesn’t mean the way she presents it is wrong or inaccurate or fails to convey the message, you just might see the topic or concept at hand differently.

[@andrewbellavie795]

The black square was some massive bullshit, already done and done better 100 years ago. Her other works are much more interesting

[@user-zp8wr8gm4c]

I think for this kind of paintings it really requires the artists to be very specific about every single little detail in her paintings. Such as the scale and the micro changes in color and values. Viewers cannot judge them through screens or prints, it is really important for us to see these paintings in person. I really appreciate the idea, but I really cannot make a judgment without a full experience.

[@smackyourlocalfrauditor9767]

Exactly my thoughts

[@mariaaaa1128]

I think what she means about ambiguity is Aura concept by benjamin walter and how technological reproduction destroys it.

[@charpnatl]

I really appreciate how Shirazeh Houshiary talks about her work. She’s so down the earth yet ethereal at the same time. I feel as if I’m being taught something in the most pleasant and effective way possible.

[@OwenDale]

Exploring her own imagination to bring clarity to her creativity Showing the world her hidden gifts that dwells within Wise woman that dwells upon earth oozing natural beauty Very passionate about her works of art as an artist Great blessings upon her always God bless her always, in all her futute endeavous God bless her always, with long life good health and prosperity

[@sharongibson3673]

Thank you so much for sharing your work it has been truely inspirational .

[@TariqKhan-np2wx]

fabulous works and always interesting to hear an artist talk about their work even if I don't get from seeing their work I gain a new appreciation for the work and sometimes reconsider what I thought about a work even if I still don't like it.

[@thefootboy20]

I admire your clarity in explaining your vision and mission. I agree that art should challenge us and give us many possible interpretations. Your presentation of ambiguities are crystal clear! Wish you Much more success ...

[@paulinawaas9204]

Art can advertise to imply caution, to send messages and above all art should not be limited to one's idea of how it should be or not

[@grienecheez]

I am realy inspired by your art and the way you see what is to see, a journey to discover your intimate relation with the art and artist.

[@sonjagartnerart]

How do you fixate your pigment on the surface?

[@wiseguy69696]

I'm in love with her works! Does anybody know what she is using to apply her pigments? I use sponges with acrylic to get cloudy atmospheres but I'm interested in dry pigments and am curious the tools one may need for application.

[@kassierika7080]

Love it

[@cancontrl]

Love learning about Iranian (born in Iran) contemporary artists

[@foambundt]

wonderful

[@chezceleste]

I love some of her paintings....I like a lot of things that she says...inspiring little video.

[@randygeyer4730]

This is bullshit. Nice gallery owners.

[@chezceleste]

@@randygeyer4730 You talking to me??

[@adnanalam2006]

Mind opening

[@Garland67]

As I watched this video, I wondered at the scale of her studio space and the massive scale of her voice installation piece. I had never heard of this artist, yet she is obviously making good money and getting good grants!

[@bobkrieger1009]

Paul Klee's View: Artist, Do not Talk, Work

[@jackleper6542]

@@atmakali9599 the more they talk the less talent and real art they make.

[@TariqKhan-np2wx]

@@jackleper6542 utter rubbish. it helps us understand the work better.

[@hanafalconer7788]

amazing.

[@adnanalam2006]

Her thoughts touched my brain so hard.

[@kikeheebchinkjigaboo6631]

Adnan Raksha Genocide of Beauty

[@adnanalam2006]

@@atmakali9599 sadly yes. I'm diagnosed with bipolar disorder and severe depression. But honestly I've experienced many mental grief including ADHD's, anxieties and of course overthinking and overanalyzing. But I'm getting better everyday and growing. Keep me in your prayers brother.🙏

[@wyattsurges5647]

very important

[@excessbastion]

i had to watch this more than once to get all that is here

[@juniorchavesopicassodeyahu988]

Thank you so much for sharing the great talent of this briliant artist

[@cstrongman]

For some, a still life or a portrait can represent “a protest against against knowing”. A black square can represent that for some people too (like myself), I understand what she means. The arts have always been a place where many interpretations and different perceptions are welcome. I mean hey, even the argument that a black square is just a black square is a valid interpretation... it’s just you’ll probably get more out of it if you try and perceive it as more than that. Why? Because you can, because it’s possible to do so! Why not get what you can out of something? If you’re willing to work with instead of against what the artist is trying to convey, you’ll get way more from the experience!

[@inertparticles]

she has opened my eyes and then some

[@romansobczyk6073]

Pani obrazy są wywołane przez wadę wzroku czyli rozmyte ale pomimo tej wady świetnie oddają rzeczywistość przestrzeni .😉

[@sharminkaniz5086]

💖

[@invisibleboy3997]

Just like Ad Reinhardt's work...Forcing the observer to take the time to make the time for the magic of Art.

[@ccmyart]

I think in order to sell my art, I may have to create a bullshit story. I like Micheal Lang, he paints, never talks.

[@TariqKhan-np2wx]

rubbish. I enjoy listening to artist talk about their work as I gain new insight in to the work. I would buy art purely because I like it.

[@luci1474]

Yeah but what she is explaining is more of a philosophy than art itself. Also, in order to perceive her philosophical concepts while admiring her work one would need to be in her state of mind. The same goes for so many “artist” who have the means to sustain their work. They have the time to waste and think and call it art, they come up with all these concepts and perceptions of life. I don’t disagree with the philosophy she is using to “sell” her work, it’s just that it makes me think, if art is ambiguous, why do you have to tell us how to think or what do they mean to you? Ambiguity would mean that what it means to me might not be the same for you.

[@liamwilson123]

Art as philisophical expression. Cool.

[@tconcotelli]

💕

[@liebingf]

Y E S

[@jeanandjulian]

one of the finest artists on this channel perhaps

[@truthseeker5332]

art is about self discovery if there is a self...

[@leov715]

I liked this when i first saw it, now, on the 5th or 6th watch, all i hear are broad statements with a weird background sound,

[@user-zz3ml1jr1n]

❤❤❤🇵🇷🤲🇨🇺♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️SU ARTE ES MARABILLOSO DIO TEBENDIGA♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@tonythatjesusloves]

i think shazes video instillation very cutting edge , taking modern contemporary art forwards into a new epoch of both visually and audibly annoying , her ambiguity did make me question where have i seen a black square before ??? MMMmmmm

[@Tobazhniazhi]

In our contemporary world dominated by immediacy and conditioned to achieving expedient results, of course this will seem unpalatable. Sadly we have lost our intellectual and imaginative capacity to ponder such works of art. I cannot but think of a neo-platonic sensibility that pervades her work, it requires silence, openness, stillness, and intuition. But nobody wants that.

[@donemigholzjr.7344]

First thing an artist should do to show any credibility is state their belief system. It has to be a working viable belief system that other people can relate to and give pause. As an artist; they should know everything they have sought, know all the answers and be to the point that they seek questions only. That is the bare minimum for an artist. Otherwise they are "Selling" their art and guessing enough to hopefully fool the viewers of their pieces. Or, yes, there is the Artist that knows nothing, understands very little but can always see the line, the hue in the shadow and has the colors fall in their lap. Of course I have never seen or heard of such an artist but if there can be an Albert Einstein, a Moses, a Jesus there my be such a Artist, one day.

[@sorin3222]

.......ok.........what about Malevich Suprematism and Revolution in Russian Art ?

[@facuarroyo3249]

I thought the same! Like, bitch, we've seen that before XD

[@hannsoonsmokur8625]

strikingly inspirational

[@visionarycomposting3100]

super outstanding

[@sirrobinfeeder]

one incredible artist outstanding

[@shaunm3206]

Always worth seeing in situ...

[@greenagain5662]

i think she is a buddist i love her waw xx

[@davepayneflip652]

What bothers me about this type of art is this: You chose visuals as your means of expression and yet they completely fail to do just that by simply looking at them... If you need a lecture to go along with the paintings then you're not expressing yourself through the visuals. Maybe start writing? Or become a public speaker and give lectures where you expand on your ideas and beliefs?

[@alphashanahan4323]

My thoughts exactly. She can probably author one book with a black square on the cover. lol!

[@jspr4734]

Don't you think her reasoning and explaining are part of her skillset, not a coping mechanism for a lack thereof, and thus are part of her artwork? Are there technically stronger painters? Of course. And if visual prowess is your only interest then no, these paintings probably won't do it for you. But you don't have to call it a cash grab just because you don't agree with the method of working. I see her visual work as a mnenonic to how she perceives the world and what she's investigating, for that reason I find it interesting. I can also imagine a collector would like to have a painting of her up on the wall because they find it visually pleasing and they agree with or are enamoured by how the artist sees the world and the physical work reminds them of that, even when it's technically not the most complicated painting. Art has ambiguity

[@jrsinsf]

the empress is naked...

[@kikeheebchinkjigaboo6631]

jrsinsf Genocide of Beauty

[@thylacinenv]

Do people still get fooled by this sort of thing?

[@tonkotsu6665]

Omg can we have some non painters pls

[@outill3]

I do not want to get into a car she is driving.....

[@squaredharbors5988]

super magnificent

[@AudiobookLibrary24-7]

You see better in darkness?

[@boysmelling5156]

Ya, like let's toss out what we know about our eyes and argue that we can see better without them. Trying too hard to explain art in my opinion.

[@TheLoveweaver]

Many times. Sometimes light obfuscates what it is you wish to find.

[@TheLoveweaver]

@@boysmelling5156 maybe it just went over your head and you'd like to see a flower in the middle of a canvas? Maybe then you'd get it? No need to bash. Say you don't understand. It's ok.

[@purestarkids]

Cool bat shaped glasses 🦇

[@ayo9604]

The paintings are ok, but the explanation is way over the top. This is effect painting, not actual "art" painting. They are good enough for being a background or pattern for clothing, but as isolated pieces they're close to humbug. You shouldn't be able to "explain" a lack of creativity and skillset and cash in on it.

[@aaronying4989]

I felt the same way, the paintings were lacking something and the explanations were really trying to be over the top. The black square like anyone could do that and to say it meant infinity it could be anything. Lol

[@illicitdevice]

Stop trying to convince me of the value of your personal rituals.

[@jackleper6542]

amen!

[@jackleper6542]

if you cant paint try minimalism. God im so sick of this kind of painting. black square is like 70 years old. as a rule the more artists have to explain, the worse the art.

[@owlshabit]

a true star of an artist

[@ubergeraldine]

I actually had to turn her off! Pure guff!

[@rubberducky6411]

Faux finishing doesn't need explaining .

[@raysmith2940]

A black square. Ummm, You can talk about it, but let's be frank, it isn't art. If you believe it is, then you must believe this writing is art also.

[@tubeberk08]

more art, less talk please....

[@andyfulcher]

Why? Go to google images

[@EuchadiaDreamer]

This artist does sound a bit pretentious. The black square painting omg..I cannot comprehend her deep ideas... a black square painting associating it with “infinity”. I understand that artists want to express metaphors in their art sometimes but this doesn’t cut it for me. I’m an abstract artist myself but this is just too pretentious. I have a feeling sometimes that with contemporary art these days some “artists” can get away with anything and just label it art without the Artworks having any real sense of depth or purpose , that can garner an emotional reaction in the viewer. It’s a shame really and when I see works like this, I feel embarrassed for her. Abstract artists get a lot of flak already by people who love realism, I think artists are born and this is why I think contemporary art is not always “right”.

[@TheLoveweaver]

Well, actually it just looks flat black until you get up close to it. The camera didn't capture the subtlety of it.

[@ubergeraldine]

EuchadiaDreamer you cannot put infinity on canvas. Clearly she has a very limited concept of infinity.

[@andreylevak7322]

This shit makes me want to give up on all the passion I have for art. If this is what art is... i want nothing to do with it!

[@andreylevak7322]

Please check out casey baugh, cesar santos, andrew tischler etc... they are artists to get inspired by!

[@TheLoveweaver]

@@andreylevak7322 Cesar Santos!*Swoon* He is such an inspiration!

[@MrScroogedmcduck]

Oh come on. Go write a book. Nice wall paper

[@KEPHALLE]

i just cannot stand preachy artists.

[@shaylogik7663]

I see what you mean. However, I feel like a deeper explanation to art with such ambiguity is definitely needed.

[@hekubanoir]

questionable asf

[@teakey]

Now the color race probably does this.

[@TheLoveweaver]

Huh?

[@andreabammybartlet8754]

O NO TateShots 👎

[@mikebraun4098]

Bla

[@David-oy6ck]

How does art this boring get mainstream attention?

[@baoyuyue5407]

The more you talk, the less you are truly an artist. Great artists let their art work speak for them. You are a painter, not a philosopher, Audience in front of Mona Lisa doesn’t need an education on how to appreciate this masterpiece.

[@chumleyk]

Another black square. Sigh. Derivative. Repetitive. Nothing new.

[@killer-kane]

I think I'm looking at a black square painted by a charlatan.

[@SaintOsburh]

lol

[@eg-g]

boring.

[@mytinplaterailway]

Snake oil BS.

[@sonnysantana1768]

Yes because an artist making art is definitely "Snake oil BS"

[@mytinplaterailway]

@@sonnysantana1768 Important to give them the benefit of the doubt. The alternative is that they actually believe what they are saying.

[@sonnysantana1768]

@@mytinplaterailway Looking at things poetically and philosophically doesn't make something BS. It's Bullshit to just see something you refuse to understand and be like, "yeah that's a scam". Not only is that cynical, but it is also sad

[@mytinplaterailway]

@@sonnysantana1768 Good luck with that.

[@sonnysantana1768]

@@mytinplaterailway considering it's a major field of study that I am in, I have all the luck I need. Thanks

[@funkmobb9368]

Graffiti ...

[@davidheaslip4413]

Crap ..

[@nadersafipour5003]

Too much philosophy vs. Too little substance.

[@nonel4515]

terrible artist

[@IanDocherty335]

Pretentious drivel.

[@carmendamic77]

tutto inutile. ha piu significato un solco nella terra.

[@loadedmore]

wonderful