Ep264: Vajrayana & Performance Art - Naljorma Tsül'dzin
Jul 26, 2024
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Naljorma Tsül'dzin, an internationally acclaimed performance artist and ordained apprentice in Tibetan Buddhism, shares her remarkable journey from rural Ireland to Kathmandu. She reflects on her childhood, struggles with addiction, and the transformative power of art intertwined with spirituality. Tsül'dzin discusses the significance of her Tibetan robes, the intersection of performance and religious expression, and her collaboration with iconic artist Marina Abramović. Get ready for insights on body awareness, artistry, and community in the vibrant landscape of Buddhism.
Naljorma Tsül'dzin's journey from rural Ireland to performance art reflects a transformative interplay between personal struggles and artistic expression.
Her ordination in the Aro gTer sect illustrates the deep connection between her spiritual practices and the physicality central to her art.
The dialogue emphasizes the ritualistic nature of performance art, drawing parallels with Tibetan Buddhist practices to highlight shared transformative experiences.
Deep dives
Personal Journey and Artistry
The speaker shares her transformative journey from her upbringing in rural Ireland to becoming an accomplished performance artist under the moniker Kira O'Reilly. She reflects on experiences of substance abuse and subsequent recovery, which led her to art and her exploration of spiritual practices. In London, she immersed herself in the vibrant subcultures of the time, using music and art as a means of self-expression, often feeling as an outsider. This blend of personal struggles and artistic endeavors laid the foundation for her deep connection to both performance art and spirituality, positioning them as intertwined aspects of her identity.
Connection to Tibetan Buddhism
The discussion highlights the speaker's profound engagement with Tibetan Buddhism and her subsequent ordination in the arrow-tear sect. She recounts her initial encounters with this spiritual practice, emphasizing the importance of physicality in both her artistic and meditative work. The speaker describes her experiences accompanying an elderly practitioner, noting the profound determination and clarity they displayed, challenging preconceived notions of physical limitations. This ongoing relationship with Buddhism fuels her artistic intent, allowing her to view her performance work as an extension of spiritual practice.
Art and Spiritual Practice Intersection
The relationship between performance art and Buddhist practice is a focal point, with insights drawn from her collaborations with notable artists like Marina Abramovic. The speaker elaborates on performance art not only as a mode of expression but as a form of ritualistic practice that fosters presence and awareness. She draws parallels between the duration in performance art and the dedication required in spiritual rituals, underlining the potential for transformational experiences within these frameworks. Her reflections reveal an understanding that creativity and spiritual expression are intrinsically linked, enriching both her life and work.
The Significance of Tradition and Ritual
The speaker delves into the significance of her religious robes as symbols of her practice and identity within the Tibetan Buddhist community. She recounts encounters with fellow practitioners, illustrating the shared enthusiasm and connection fostered through these garments. Wearing the robes serves as both an embodiment of her vows and a catalyst for dialogue about spiritual lineage and shared experiences. This practice reinforces her commitment to the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism and deepens her connection to a community that transcends language and cultural barriers.
Exploration of Kathmandu and Daily Life
The conversation shifts to the exploration of Kathmandu, emphasizing the rich, interconnected tapestry of experiences within the city. The speaker expresses her joy in walking through the urban landscape, engaging with locals, and uncovering hidden gems of culture and spirituality. She shares anecdotes about spontaneous interactions that unfold due to her robes, highlighting the immediate connections formed through shared interests and lineage discussions. This exploration not only reflects her commitment to her practice but also reveals a deep appreciation for the vibrancy and complexity of everyday life in Kathmandu.
In this episode, filmed on location in Boudhanath, Kathmandu, I am joined by Naljorma Tsül'dzin, an internationally acclaimed performance artist and ordained apprentice in the Aro gTer sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
Tsül'dzin recalls her childhood in rural Ireland, early cultural and occult explorations, substance abuse and recovery, and her international career as a performance artist under the name “Kira O’Reilly”.
Tsül'dzin traces her history with the Aro gTer sect of Tibetan Buddhism, from first encounter to full ordination, reveals her religious robes and the reactions they provoke, and explains her ongoing fascination with the Great Stupa in Kathmandu.
Tsül'dzin also considers the intersection of art and religious expression, the tension between practice and performance, ritual and spectacle, and reflects on her long-standing work with Serbian conceptual and performance artist Marina Abramović.
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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep264-vajrayana-performance-art-naljorma-tsldzin
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
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Topics include:
00:00 - Intro
01:04 - Inspiring example of Jomo Samphel Dechen Rinpoche
06:30 - Working with body and physicality as a practitioner
09:34 - Childhood in Catholic rural Ireland
11:55 - The 80s goth scene
12:43 - Linda Montano’s insight on Tsül'dzin and subcultures
14:07 - Occult explorations
15:09 - Substance abuse and entering recovery
16:29 - Studying fine art at university
17:36 - Encountering the Aro gTer Buddhist sect
20:22 - Group practice format in the Aro gTer
22:44 - Attraction to the Aro gTer
23:37 - Internationally acclaimed performance art career
29:08 - Deepening Buddhist practice
30:47 - Ordination and Kathmandu
31:28 - Performance art and religious ritual
32:50 - Meeting Marina Abramović
35:25 - The Golden Bough and ritual as performance art
36:16 - Working with Marina Abramović
37:50 - Performing at Marina Abramović’ recent London retrospective at the Royal Academy of Art
39:16 - West/East influence
41:34 - Marina Abramović as a teacher
43:45 - Wearing religious robes
44:48 - Conversations arising from wearing robes in public
47:08 - Explaining the colour scheme
49:56 - Robes and participation
53:00 - Fasting and preparing for the 12-day Royal Academy performance
57:41 - Street Dog Care
58:43 - Reflecting on spiritual experiences
01:00:20 - Time and space
01:02:27 - Why spend so much time in Boudha?
01:06:22 - Practice vs spectacle
01:07:15 - Prostrations
01:08:08 - Art and the Aro gTer
01:09:44 - Secular vs religious art
01:12:04 - Disappointment with Western Buddhist art
01:14:08 - Recommendations for when visiting Boudha
01:14:36 - How to have impromptu conversations
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Boudhanath Interviews playlist:
- https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknwvU82dU487LhF_mF4AkGek&si=gFGJpi-fnLtxeyZ5
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To find our more about Naljorma Tsül'dzin, visit:
- https://www.instagram.com/naljormatsuldzin/
- https://www.kiraoreilly.com/
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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
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