Uncommon Boundaries
If you find yourself chanced with the opportunity for good conversation, at office we recommend dropping the composure. Get weird, because hey, everything else is. So, to inaugurate the future of small talk, we gathered some of our favorite artists, models, and all-round icons for a fever-dream interview sesh.
The next time you find yourself at a [Zoom] party making eyes with a babe across the [virtual] bar, hit ‘em with this survey.
Heejin Diamond, contortionist
What have you learned about yourself this year?
Took advantage of the confinement to launch my contortion studio in Paris and write my pedagogy.
What do you do?
Always create.
Minimalism or Maximalism?
Maxinihiliste.
Escapism or realism?
There is only the escape that is a reality. I write my emotions in movements much like a dancer.
What icons have influenced your practice/work?
Pina Bausch, Lady Gaga, David Bowie, Leonard de Vinci.
If you could choose what animal you’d be reincarnated into, which one and why?
An Albatross to travel freely without getting tired.
How do you make isolation sexy?
Play sports and stay locked up with my husband to create.
Fuck, marry, kill: Anthony Fauci, Azealia Banks, Martha Stewart.
Marry to kiss, kiss to kill time.
Who is your mortal enemy?
The Laziness.
Influencers: love ‘em or hate ‘em?
I have no opinion on the matter.
If you could be a sex toy, which one would you be?
Penis cage.
Horse Tranquilizers: Yay or Neighhhhhhh?
Yaaaoooeeeeiiihhhh (Orgasm).
La'Shaunae, model
What have you learned about yourself this year?
I learned my worth when it comes to nearly everything in my life. Romantically, financially, emotionally. I'm not afraid to ask for what I want AND need anymore. My time is way too valuable, you know?
Minimalism or Maximalism?
Maximalism because the more the better, just like me.
Escapism or realism?
Escapism because I’m highkey depressed and delusional.
What icons have influenced your practice/work?
For the most part, I get influenced by my own personal thoughts and ideas and opinions, but I think the pink haired girl from LazyTown looks so cool.
How do your internal fantasy worlds influence your external reality?
This is deep and I dont know how to answer? So, uh, it gives me the special spiral serve. Gives me the ability to shitpost and overshare everyday. I don’t know what I’m talking about but it sounds right.
If you could choose what animal you’d be reincarnated into, which one and why?
A pretty lime green and brown cow because it’s what I already am. Or an elephant, they’re so beautiful and sweet too.
How do you make isolation sexy?
Being zooted and recording myself dancing to my 2008 middle school playlist from my scene phase. I’m stuck there.
Fuck, marry, kill: Anthony Fauci, Azealia Banks, Martha Stewart.
Azealia is a top yes? So fuck Azealia, marry Martha so I can have great meals everyday, kill the Anthony person because I will never chose an old white man I've never heard of over a problematic girl rapper.
Who is your mortal enemy?
Myself. And the baby from Ice Age.
Influencers: love ‘em or hate ‘em?
If they dont listen to Bones or if they can’t decipher for me what Cocteau Twins says in their songs, then hate.
If you could be a sex toy, which one would you be?
The bender from Unbound because it's the coolest shit ever without even trying. I need to do that challenge.
Horse Tranquilizers: Yay or Neighhhhhhh?
It was made for horses. Not humans, and I am not only a child of God but I am NORMAL!!!
Coumba, model
What have you learned about yourself this year?
This year has honestly been really transformative for me. I have a much better relationship with time. I’ve learned to respect other people’s time, and also accept it as a construct. It’s paved the way for a lot of mental and emotional healing in that now my life feels a lot more fluid and free. I’ve also learned how to truly enjoy being alone and find things to occupy myself. I think it’s really important to not hold other people to making your life substantial and constantly moving; sitting through those tough thoughts and working through them. I’ve also learned that I’m really distanced from my cultural heritage as a Muslim Senegalese and it’s something I need to work on.
What do you do?
I’m currently working as a model in London, and I'm also a full-time graphic design student.
Minimalism or Maximalism?
Minimalism for sure. I think everyone is working towards unlearning the conditioning that having items and a grandiose lifestyle defines your level of happiness.
Escapism or realism?
Being an American, I think we are naturally escapists. Escapists in mind and body; constantly dissociating or looking for something better.
What icons have influenced your practice/work ?
I wouldn’t say that I have any icons. I really enjoy coming across and learning about other people’s work and way of life. I guess it’s more abstract in that I really appreciate values of dedication and experimentation.
How do your internal fantasy worlds influence your external reality?
I think I’m constantly living in a fantasy world because I genuinely believe we are living in one. Everything goes and your thoughts make up your reality. External reality is just something we all have to work around but I think we all both individually and collectively have a power to make the world we want to live in.
If you could choose what animal you’d be reincarnated into, which one and why?
I would choose a tube worm or some other type of sea floor creature. Mostly because they’re unbothered and not charged with any symbolism.
How do you make isolation sexy?
Making isolation sexy was really tame for me. Lots of just walking to the kitchen in a nice bra and underwear and a low heel.
Fuck, marry, kill: Anthony Fauci, Azealia Banks, Martha Stewart.
Fuck Azealia Banks, marry Martha Stewart, and kill Anthony Fauci.
Who is your mortal enemy?
Probably the entire cast of The Hangover.
Influencers: love ‘em or hate ‘em?
I think I’m indifferent because I’m personally not into it but it’s a big part of culture at the moment I guess.
If you could be a sex toy, which one would you be?
Most likely one of those massive dragon alien hybrid dildos. But without the dissolving egg.
Horse Tranquilizers: Yay or Neighhhhhhh?
Neigh, never take a downer.
What have you learned about yourself this year?
Hmm that I need to breathe and just love because getting stressed out because of other people’s actions is just dumb as fuck.
What do you do?
I’m a director, 3D artist, model and all around dumb bitch.
Minimalism or Maximalism?
Maximalism all the way.
Escapism or realism?
A little bit of both but mainly escapism.
What Icons have influenced your practice/work ?
Jojo Siwa and my grandmothers Agusta and Elísabet.
How do your internal fantasy worlds influence your external reality?
They influence all my work and let me not take life too seriously.
If you could choose what animal you’d be reincarnated into, which one and why?
a flamingo because they are pink, elegant and live in warm climates.
How do you make isolation sexy?
Tbh weed and music at 2 a.m. and it just happens.
Fuck, marry, kill: Anthony Fauci, Azealia Banks, Martha Stewart.
Marry Martha, Kill Azealia and fuck Fauci.
Who is your mortal enemy?
Before and after weight loss photographers.
Influencers: love ‘em or hate ‘em?
I mean I love myself so ….
If you could be a sex toy, which one would you be?
The one that sucks on the clit- so fun to give women pleasure.
Horse Tranquilizers: Yay or Neighhhhhhh?
A hard neigh from me.
Rachel Lena Esterline, artist
What have you learned about yourself this year?
I can be less scared. Weirdly life gave me wings during all this intensity. In the beginning of the pandemic, I felt paralized and didn’t want to shoot at all. At one point I literally yelled at the News that I’d had enough brainwashing! Afterward I parted with my city, my plants and apartment and went for a (masked) ride – first to a farm in Oregon where I could put my hands in the dirt, then Portland, then NYC. I’m headed back to SF soon, but the theme of indeterminacy...it’s kind of where everyone’s at. All of this change positioned me right on time for the revolution taking place in this country and around the world. When I’m less afraid, I can listen better, do more and be more for the communities and voices that I want to uplift through my work.
Minimalism or Maximalism?
Unity and inclusion need each other.
Escapism or realism?
Everybody needs a moment to breathe, but... COVID & climate fires are real y’all.
What Icons have influenced your practice / work?
Norma Jean Almodovar is an American author and sex workers activist I’m obsessed with. But, most of my icons are transient souls – our exchange is fleeting. I think that’s why the camera is so key, because it’s quick and sometimes I can get a glimpse of that exchange documented. If you see a human being through my gaze, they’re iconic.
How do your internal fantasy worlds influence your external reality?
Oh, I’m always floating around your world, but I’m never really here.
If you could choose what animal you’d be reincarnated into, which one and why?
I’m a cat who knows she's a dolphin.
How do you make isolation sexy?
Mirrors and lenses.
Fuck, marry, kill: Anthony Fauci, Azealia Banks, Martha Stewart.
Don’t kiss and tell, not getting married, and not about the death penalty.
Who is your mortal enemy?
When you say people’s names that gives them power – that’s why we need to say the names of black lives taken in the name of police brutality and white patriarchal supremacy. So instead of giving the enemy power, I’m saving it for people who need it.
Influencers: love ‘em or hate ‘em?
Who?
If you could be a sex toy, which one would you be?
Diva Dolphin Blue (with Wings).
Horse Tranquilizers: Yay or Neighhhhhhh?
Neighhh.
