Where are you from, and where did you grow up?
I am from the United States and grew up in Portland, Oregon.
How does Paris inspire you in your work?
My favorite thing to do in Paris is walk or, in French and as every first-year student knows, dérive. Of course, Paris is rich in art, architecture, theater, dance, literature, and history — all of which originally drew me to study at Parsons Paris — but I am most drawn to the sort of “happenings” of the city. Even though I have lived here for three years, I am still adapting to the culture and language, something I think many Americans feel while living in Paris despite the fantastical clichés. But Parisians have taught me to appreciate the small pleasures in life, whether it’s making beautiful a bowl of peas or taking a long walk. Now I know Paris well. I hardly use the metro and try not to follow a GPS, and instead observe and find small worlds within the city. Paris is just right in its scale, and if you look up, you may notice something you hadn’t noticed before, even on a street you’ve walked down hundreds of times.
What classes in your program have you enjoyed?
I have had the opportunity to take so many interesting classes, taught by wonderful professors, during my time at Parsons Paris. Some memorable ones have been Introduction to Visual Culture, with Lorraine Audric; Studio, with Laëtitia Badut Haussmann; and Space/Materiality, with Francesca Bonesio. Presently I am enjoying working on my thesis, guided by Bridget O’Rourke, Evan Roth, and Stephanie Nadalo. I am also minoring in Fashion Studies, and right now I’m taking Fashion, Branding, and Communication, taught by Justin Morin, and Collaborative Strategies for Fashion and Art, taught by Leslie Dahlgren, both entirely enlightening.
You spent your junior year off campus. Where did you study?
I studied in the Fine Arts department at Parsons’ New York campus. I was able to take classes in sculpture, screenprinting, and bookmaking and further explore a performance practice. New York as a city and campus is so different from Paris, but equally culturally and creatively stimulating. The time in New York was invaluable to me in my artistic practice, especially learning to make work that has a wide currency across different cultural contexts. I was so excited to return to Paris, and the professors, peers, and colleagues I met in New York helped prepare me to dive fully into my thesis upon the start of my senior year.
Have you done an internship?
I was able to do internships with artists and Parsons Paris professors Kathleen Ritter and Brankica Zilovic. As both of them had previously been my professors and were already a bit familiar with my work, it was so interesting to become familiar with theirs. Brankica and I worked on a giant embroidery mural of the map of the world which she was preparing for an upcoming exhibition. And I was able to assist Kathleen in the research and prototype phase for a project about the intersection of security envelopes used in the 1940s and vintage lingerie. I feel really lucky to have worked with both of them and to have had the opportunity to gain insight into the work and lives of international artists living in Paris. Mostly I’m grateful for the lasting connection I have with both Kathleen and Brankica, as during the internship both of them ended up mentoring me a bit.
Are you enjoying working on your thesis?
Yes! My thesis is on ballet and its relationship to power and gender performance. Right now, it’s a collection of drawings and films, and I plan on making some sculptures and performances for it, too. It’s really interesting to look back on the work I was doing when I first started at Parsons Paris until now, and I see how my previous projects, experiments, and research are culminating in a thesis that Ideeply care about.
Do you have any hobbies?
I practice ashtanga yoga every morning — these days in my room. It really helps me stay balanced and start the day embodied and centered. I dance whenever it’s possible and enjoy cooking a nice dinner. I am always listening to something, as I love exploring new music and podcasts — I have a pretty wide taste in both, so I never know if it’s going to be Mozart, NPR, or some experimental electronica from the eighties. I find that all of these things help keep me inspired to make art.
What advice would you give incoming students?
It’s all about the process. Always ask how you can push your work further, experiment as wildly as you can, and don’t fear how it turns out. Learning what your work is not can be just as valuable as learning what it is. Your diligence will end up being significant later on. Don’t forget to take it easy sometimes, because you can’t force art; it has to come to you. Find ways to stay inspired — develop a book habit, go to as many expositions as you can, watch meaningful films and documentaries, sketch in one of Paris’ many museums. On a logistical level, document your work immediately, because it will never happen later. Most important, take advantage of the community at Parsons Paris. Relationships are invaluable, and you will always receive back what you put in. Your professors are here to help you, and your classmates can be your most important collaborators. Find the people here who you connect with, and stick with them.