Sarvin Parviz
ORP: What does success as a writer or artist mean to you?
Sarvin Parviz: Scenarios of success for me look like this: If my piece creates a spark, an emotion, a question or curiosity in my audience; If the audience carries my piece in their minds for a while, thinking about it; If it inspires them to look into that subject, theme or art further, or to discuss it with someone else; If it gives context to someone's experience or gifs words to someone so that they can express themselves better, or if it brings up a memory however abstract.
ORP: Does writing or creating energize or exhaust you? What aspects of your artistic process would you consider the most challenging or rewarding?
SP: I'm not sure if "exhausting" or "energizing" are quite the right words for me but I find editing or working with found-objects easier and very satisfying. Generating is what takes the most time and effort, and it's out of my control. All I can do is show up. This is why I enjoy video projects and collages. The already-existing material helps me to start asap and move to the editorial phase very fast.
ORP: Do you know more than one language? How does this influence your art and/or writing?
SP: My native language is Farsi though I mostly write and speak in English. Even though English is my second language, it is a very dear and comfortable home. I learned Italian many years ago. My Italian's very rusty. We were taught Arabic at school and later, at university. Sometimes I still read poems in Arabic. I am familiar with French, not enough to speak it, enough to enjoy it. All these languages make me think of how my identity, my voice, my character changes as I switch from one language to another. So I explore this identity through my art. I also think about how each language gives us specific and unique words to describe things and feelings, some that don't exist in another language. When Farsi falls short, English gives me words to describe my experience. So exploring this void in my art and writing is a life-long journey.
ORP: What would you say is your most interesting writing and/or artistic quirk? Do you have any habits that you believe help or hinder your creativity?
SP: When I hit a writer's block in my writing, I go to a museum. When reading fiction or poetry feels like work and I don't get the same pleasure from it anymore, I turn to plays and nonfiction. Being interdisciplinary definitely helps my creativity. I think I'm a good realtor for creative ideas. I try them out in different mediums and find them in the best home.
ORP: What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing or creating? What advice would you give to another writer or artist?
SP: A valuable piece of advice that I received was from my mom- many of them, actually. But this one was passed down to her from a professor of hers, Iranian graphic designer, Morteza Momayez. He said that by creating, you are shaping a nation's taste. I will share the advice passed down to me: You can't edit it, if it's not on the page.
