Page 109 - Flaunt 170 - The Phoenix Issue - Kiernan Shipka

in it.’ Or it’s all fluorescent colors and it’s not. It’s sort of lesser language. AS: That’s the gender... JP: I think they should give you better words. If you think so, I think so, too. You know that when there’s a quip or a one-sen- tence synopsis it sort of has this...I don’t know if it’s humor exactly. I don’t know if it’s funny, but there’s a deepness in it that interests me. AS: Well I think the idea that you poked at just now of intellect is something that I thought a lot about. I feel that intellect and beauty are seen as opposites, especially if you are a woman. The opportunity to not see intelligence or in- tellect or meaning in the work of women is preordained, but I don’t think Matisse or these people were ever questioned. I think people who make appealing or provocative things, people who can understand on a material level, should not be questioned about their intellect or the meaning of their work. It does not exist in opposition. I guess my interest in the decorative arts is really pushing on that, ‘Okay you’re really gonna work with porcelain and have to take it serious- ly?’ I mean yeah, ‘cause I’m fucking smart. But also lots of other people have done that same thing, you’re just looking the other way because it’s unfamiliar territory. I don’t want to give the words that somebody else writes too much power over me, you know? INSTALLATION VIEW OF ARLENE SHECHET: “SKIRTS.” 540 WEST 25TH STREET. FEBRUARY 28–APRIL 25, 2020. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY PACE GALLERY