Terra Soma

My name is Kinnari Vora and the piece is titled Terra Soma. Terra in Latin means earth, and soma means body. The piece is a large, three dimensional sculptural headpiece displayed on a recycled life size mannequin upper body with its arms extended. The headpiece is about two and a half feet tall and extends roughly two and a half feet in all directions around the head. It is made from a metal frame, a plastic base and foam for fitting, and repurposed artificial greenery and flowers. Most of the plant materials come from my mother in law's old home decor, and the rest is thrifted. There are different shades of green with touches of red, yellow and peach flowers. Google lens recognizes them as rock trumpet. The plants curve and branch outward from the head, creating a large garden like form. I grew up in the Gir Forest in India, surrounded by trees, animals and open land. And now that I live in Chicago, this contrast makes me think of how we carry our connection to nature, even when we are surrounded by concrete and buildings. I'm interested in the ways nature works, you know, cycles, regrowth, renewal, regeneration, repurposing these old materials and giving them another form. And life is important to me. It becomes a small practice of care and reciprocity versus consumerism. The headpiece is made to fit my own head, and is activated through movement and dance. Although it is displayed here as a sculpture, it can also become a part of a live performance for me. Terra Soma asks us to notice the connection between the body and the natural world, even in a city. Thank you.