it really felt like a wolverine moment

martine syms. photo by alex lau.

writer jenna wortham talking to artist martine syms in “This Conceptual Artist Probably Lifts Heavier Than You”:

When you picked up that 20-pound weight today, I was like, that’s so tight.

I was feeling really capable and strong. I feel like I have to train with black people. I’m not going to look a certain way, and I know that, and I don’t want to feel a way about it.

Exactly, don’t feel any ways about it.

Like, I was really trying to lose pounds and I was really kind of dieting before. And [my trainer] was like, “Girl, you can’t lose your booty. What are you talking about?

It sounds like you’re talking about getting to where you feel good in your skin. You’re not trying to fit some unrealistic idea.

Yeah, and I am really strong. The first time I noticed a big difference was when I was at Home Depot getting something for my studio. I was taking down plywood, and I went expecting it to be heavy, as it always is, and I grabbed a sheet and it was way lighter than I thought. I was like, “What the fuck?!” It really felt like a Wolverine moment or something. And then I did a Tough Mudder race with a couple gym people in March and that was another thing I never would have thought I would do. But it was so much fun. I trained really hard for it. It was just such a huge feeling of camaraderie. The gym I go to in L.A. is really diverse in terms of ages, races. It’s just a good vibe. They play good music. That’s the people that I did the race with and it was really special.

How much do you engage with L.A. wellness culture?

Not at all, because I hate everyone. [laughs] No. It’s just real white, real white. I mean, I shouldn’t say not at all, because I do go to everything. I know the surf spot, I know the tea place, but the overarching culture—even now, I remember always staring at pictures of people from L.A., California: some blonde, blue-eyed surfer type. I feel like that’s still a dominant image of Southern California.

also watch this because syms is hella charming. also appears that i am now obsessed with healthy ish.

Save

Save