Beating of her Wings IV 1987

Editor: Here we have Shirazeh Houshiary's "Beating of her Wings IV." It's a mixed media piece, with what looks like ink and collage on paper. I’m struck by how the artist combines abstract forms with these fragments of text. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Let's consider the materials and process. Houshiary uses language—literally, through text—as a fundamental component. Notice how the act of writing and layering becomes a physical process, much like weaving or building. How does the inclusion of script change our perception of the other drawn elements? Editor: I see what you mean. It transforms the drawing into something more grounded and concrete. Curator: Exactly. The work challenges the traditional hierarchy of art, suggesting that writing, process, and even the materials themselves hold equal weight to the visual representation. Editor: It makes me think about how art is made, not just what it depicts. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! It is a new way to interpret art piece.