Meet Torie Zalben | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Torie Zalben and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Torie, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
My favorite quote is by the avant-garde artist Maya Deren. I love how she describes the mission of creativity when she says, “When we agree that a work of art is, first of all, creative, we actually mean that it creates a reality and itself constitutes an experience” (Deren, Maya. Essential Deren. Documentext, 2005).

I live by her quote, as it inspires me to create art that fosters a transcendental experience for my audience.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art and practice are constantly in a state of transformation. One moment I am video mapping and taking photographs, the next I am making a watercolor, curating an exhibition, developing my line of video necklaces, or interviewing artists on my show, “Transcending with Torie” (available on Spotify, Apple podcasts, and formerly live at KCHUNG Radio at MOCA). Each day presents a fun and exciting project that I “dance” with, and it all comprises my interdisciplinary art practice and career.

I am most proud of my sense of community, network of artists, and peers. I feel that I am still “getting there” and not at my destination- nor do I ever intend to be. I truly believe that an art career is one of constantly becoming and discovering.

My brand is a multimedia splash of saturated color tones that combines digital art and varied practices (watercolor, photography, and video mapping) with technology interwoven into my medium in some respect. I strive to be undefinable.

I have learned along the way that setbacks are in fact a reset and a moment to rediscover one’s self. That the “art world” does not have to be an exclusive bubble, but a network of support and life-long friendships. I am always learning that a true artist is in it for the long game and not for short-term success. That a career spans decades and that not everything and everyone has to be for you. The most valuable lesson I have learned is to never make a scene and to know when to walk away or walk towards situations with a calm grace. Time does heal all, or at least provides perspective when building one’s career.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would visit the Weisman Foundation art collection. Nestled inside a beautiful home in Holmby Hills, this incredible collection boasts a very large private art collection. Inside the home is a stunning collection of 20th-century art. Reservations are by appointment only and I recommend emailing them ahead of time.

The Getty Villa in Malibu has the most beautiful museum and gardens, and is a fun destination for arts and culture in LA. One can also admire Los Angeles’ Pacific Coast Highway on the way there and enjoy scenic views of the landscape surrounding the museum.

I also love the Huntington Gardens, both for its lush grounds and for its art collection and library. There is a powerful dialogue throughout their collection, and I highly recommend it.

The Venice Beach boardwalk is quintessential LA. It contains lots of excitement and is also near one of my favorite galleries, L.A. Louver.

To eat, I suggest any one of Evan Funke’s restaurants, such as Felix or Funke. His cuisine is pure artistry and his dedication to handmade pasta is beyond inspirational.

For a specialty drink I would suggest a visit to Erewhon market and cafe. They are located all across LA and have become a staple of its culture. I recommend their classic Golden Latte or the Reishi Cappuccino at their tonic bar.

To conclude, I suggest a walk along the Santa Monica beach bike path or a barefoot walk along the shore. One can feel the beauty of nature and the magic that is Los Angeles.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this article to my incredible graduate school at NYU, the Gallatin School of Individualized Study, where I received my Master’s degree in Video Art and Media. I am honored to sit on their Dean’s council alongside so many esteemed alumni and faculty. My graduate advisor, Keith Miller, guided me during my education and curated my work into his exhibits at the Gallatin gallery located on campus. While creating work for the Gallatin gallery, I experimented with live video installations, performance art, and displayed large-scale photographs that are now in the school’s permanent art collection. Thank you Keith for all these creative opportunities and for shaping my education and career.

I also studied with artist Karen Finley. She was instrumental in shaping my career and art practice. I was able to understand that my various mediums could be seen through the lens of performance art, and I learned how daily life is in itself a performative act. I thank professor Finley for all she taught me and I admire her interdisciplinary art career.

The summer before graduate school, I attended a course taught by Max Nova, titled Live Video Performance Art. That class opened my practice to including video mapping, which uses video and moving imagery as a way to “paint” with light, utilizing software called MadMapper and Resolume Arena. Professor Nova had various guest speakers from the art world and beyond, and I was able to start thinking about having an interdisciplinary art career with this new visual technology. Thank you Professor Nova for the tools of video mapping.

Again, a big shout-out to NYU’s Gallatin school and to my professors for helping me shape my art practice. All the inspiration and support from my education has been the most valuable tool throughout my life and career. I would also like to thank Marva Soogrim for suggesting me for this article. Her work with newborn families is truly inspirational.

Website: https://www.toriezalben.com

Instagram: @TorieZalben

Image Credits
Photo of artist by Rob Tirrell

All art images are courtesy of the artist