Sarcotesta

Mori Aya’s large, hand-built sculptures are usually informed by the physical properties of things barely visible to the naked eye—things like mold or bacteria. The title of this sculpture, Sarcotesta, makes reference to the fleshy outer layers of the seeds of certain plants like pomegranate, which provide a protective barrier to the seeds. The unique characteristics of this seed coat are reflected in the shape of the various ruffled, tubular shapes that project from the sculpture’s body, which are significantly plumper than those seen in her other work on view here, which was inspired by the more delicate lace-like shape of a type of slime mold.