by Marine Godfroy
Niki Sabet. Does that name sound familiar? Model? Artist? A woman of many faces, Sabet is an artist who works with a variety of media, following her inspiration wherever it may take her—that much is certain. She is also a fashion model and is currently the face of Advanced Mineral Makeup. Müdd was recently given the opportunity to speak with Sabet, allowing our readers absorbing insight into the complex and sometimes paradoxical personality of this up-and-coming artist of French and Persian descent, whose latest work entitled Gravity, also known as The Boot, is currently on display in New York at the Cipriani Club Residences on Wall Street.
Müdd: I'm told life as a model travelling around the globe can be a lonely and tiresome trek through a shallow world, just like it can be glamorous, rewarding and lucrative. How much does your modelling career influence your perception as an artist?
NS: Life can be lonely and tiresome; it has nothing to do with travelling or the [fashion] industry. You can be living in the same town with the same friends your whole life, working a nine-to-five job and feel completely alone. It happens all the time. I had always dreamed of travelling the world, living a bohemian life; modelling became my ticket. It gave me the opportunity to leave home at the age of 16, see the world and interact with extremely creative people while experiencing very unique situations. For me, freedom is the ultimate goal. … It is my life experiences and my perspective from those experiences that helps make my work unique. Modelling allowed me to see and walk down many paths of life. I am fortunate enough to live and learn about other cultures and societies, but it also exposed me to the dreams, visions, darkness, and corruption of others in a very intimate way.
Müdd: I'm fascinated as to how your two personalities (model and artist) intertwine. Do they conflict? Do you sometimes feel like you lead a double life?
NS: I don't lead a double life; I lead many lives. I get bored easily so I have many personalities to keep myself entertained. As an artist, I believe that my own life is a canvas and not just the physical materials with which I work. Being an artist and a model seem to be on completely opposite sides of the spectrum: creator and object. There are, however, major similarities. For example, both endeavors are inherently narcissistic and self-centred. In my experience, I have found that they blend well together. The modelling has naturally made me more empathic toward my muses. I understand them because I have been there personally and continue to be. They know that and respect the familiarity. I don't judge. This naturally brings us closer and allows me to shed layers that you can't possibly remove unless you are a member of that particular community.
Müdd: Is Gravity a social commentary on the fashion scene?
NS: You could say that. In fashion, you can fly high and barely touch the ground, but there are always people and situations in that particular life to bring you down and cut off your wings. The statue symbolizes the act of defying gravity.
Müdd: There seems to be a lot of darkness and cynicism behind the Chrome and Gold Series. You were quoted as saying that you follow your mother's advice to "absorb the world around you". It makes me wonder what's behind these two series.
NS: There is a misconception of me being dark. I am truthful. I am a truth seeker, fascinated with human behaviour and constantly wanting to dig deeper. The Chrome and Gold Series were my observations of the power play between people, sexes, etc. I don't see it as dark; I see it as life. Bad Karma [from the Gold Series], for instance, was influenced by a beautiful model I lived with at one time. Even though she knew her boyfriend was HIV positive, she still had unprotected sex with him because she loved him and he didn't like condoms. She was fully aware of the consequences, yet her insecurities and the illusions created for her were too powerful.
Both series were heavily influenced by the concepts of Eros and Thanatos, sex and death. I am not glorifying death. Death is part of life and I accept it, while most people close their eyes and try to run away from it. The work is about losing yourself. You lose yourself in sex and you lose yourself in death.
Müdd: Was there a trigger that inspired the Luxe Tue or Gold Series?
NS: I was once in two relationships at the same time—one with a writer/director (Creator) and one with an actor (Object). Being a part of both of their worlds I got to see the power play that took place between the two worlds. Though they were completely different individuals, they had one thing in common: they were both initially intrigued by my creativity and then later frightened by the exact thing which had drawn them in. Both in their own way tried to sabotage my vision, one by manipulation and the other by nagging. … On Valentine's Day, after behaving badly, the actor placed a big basket on my doorstep. He knew I didn't like receiving flowers but I liked what he had left—butterflies. The combination of the butterfly and the series of events that had taken place at that time was the trigger to the Luxe Tue Series.
For more information on Niki Sabet, visit www.nikisabet.net.
/ FASHION
/ BEAUTY
/ CULTURE
/ LIFESTYLE
