{"id":5160,"date":"2015-10-02T21:05:50","date_gmt":"2015-10-02T21:05:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/notofu.com\/new\/?p=5160"},"modified":"2018-10-30T21:12:22","modified_gmt":"2018-10-30T21:12:22","slug":"alexandra-marzella","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/notofu.com\/new\/alexandra-marzella\/","title":{"rendered":"Alexandra Marzella"},"content":{"rendered":"

U<\/span>nlike most models, Alexandra Marzella\u2019s conventional beauty is only incidental to her body of work. But then, modeling is just a sliver of what she does. She\u2019s made a name for herself among a band of artistic and driven young women\u2014Tavi Gevinson and Petra Collins among them\u2014by incorporating dance, nudity and unmitigated honesty into her performances and videos. As you find yourself transfixed by her unabashed wriggling, you may begin wondering if what you\u2019re seeing is art or just a twenty-something who has mastered the selfie. Marzella offers us insight into what her artwork brings to the table.<\/p>\n

What does a woman your age have to gain by seeing your work?<\/em>
\nMaybe a new perspective. Ideally I\u2019d like a woman to look at my images and be entertained to think a little differently about the picture painted of us for us by men. I haven\u2019t been pushing the envelope as much lately when it comes to nudity because it\u2019s become quite tiring. Although I\u2019m still beyond pro nudity, #freethenipple, pro sex work\u2026<\/p>\n

What have you taken from modeling for use in your art?<\/em>
\nI don\u2019t know if I\u2019ve taken from modeling as much as I have taken from general confidence and exploration.<\/p>\n

Given that you are so often the subject of your work, or featured in it, are there any conflicts in posing for a photo shoot?<\/em>
\nAs an artist I do think of modeling as part of my practice. I\u2019ve never just been a model. I started modeling at RISD for friends so it was always experimental\/not commercial. If anything, I think I book most jobs because I\u2019m an artist. Modeling is totally an art form but I think it\u2019s rare for a model to demonstrate artistry in their work.<\/p>\n

\u201cI disagree with the way history has shaped certain fundamental systems. And I think more people need to question these things and explore other options.\u201d\u00a0Alexandra Marzella<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What role do you think your art plays in the social consciousness?<\/em>
\nI have a viewpoint that is very tailored to my ever expanding understanding of the world and the people in it. I put out what I want to and I hope that it has some positive impact. I try to challenge social norms because I don\u2019t agree with a lot of them. I disagree with the way history has shaped certain fundamental systems. And I think more people need to question these things and explore other options.<\/p>\n

How does the work of your contemporaries influence or complement your style?<\/em>
\nMy peers and contemporaries will always be influencing me and each other. I\u2019m on the internet every day and try my best to get out and around to see things that other people in my communities are doing. I think the most important thing to do is converse about life and our work. It\u2019s easy to be envious without knowing the person behind the images.<\/p>\n

The wave of artists you\u2019re often associated with is young, but not exceptionally diverse. If you agree with that statement, why do you think this is the case?<\/em>
\nMeh, people are all different. So I could never say I don\u2019t have a diverse group of peers. Diversity has lots of ranges. We all know what they are. I don\u2019t deny there being an unbalanced number of whites to non-whites in my life. I am always trying to understand how to fix this, if it needs fixing. Just because I\u2019m a certain person and I happen to be friends with a lot of people that you could categorize easily doesn\u2019t mean that I\u2019m not trying to touch everyone. Everyone together is the solution of course.<\/p>\n

How do current events influence your work?<\/em>
\nI\u2019ve never been someone who wakes up and reads all the news. But I do go through phases of introspection that is a response to the tragedies happening around us. I don\u2019t always explicitly name names in my work but I am trying to be inclusive in a broad sense.<\/p>\n

Of all the different hats you wear which takes priority in your life right now?<\/em>
\nGrowing and figuring it out. If that\u2019s a hat.<\/p>\n

What are you currently working on?\u00a0<\/em>
\nI\u2019m working on some photos for Crave magazine\u2019s first issue, which I\u2019m excited about. I haven\u2019t done much in terms of editorial work and this is a new exciting platform for me. Performance has been a focus to some degree in the past few months and I would like it to be going forward. I have to put some things on hold because I\u2019ll be acting in my first feature for the rest of the summer and into the fall. It\u2019s going to be really challenging and I\u2019m ecstatic.<\/p>\n

\u2015Ashley Canino<\/em>
\nPhotos: Natalia Mantini<\/p>\n

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