Moral Turgeman's Caterpillar Chair and Multi-Sensory Sculptures Marvels in "Rooted Signals" Exhibition

This summer, multi-disciplinary artist Moral Turgeman showcased “Rooted Signals” at Praz-Delavallade Projects in Los Angeles. The exhibition studies the mushroom and its mycelial network through a series of futuristic sculptures, including a central piece that has caught the attention of many: her Caterpillar Chair.

Described as a sound healing experience using tactile vibration tones that interact with the brain and nervous system, the mohair felt chair shaped as a vessel was designed with the utmost precision to harmonize with the human body for wellness. “I used technology to expose an interface that would otherwise be invisible to humans. Through sound vibration technology, a participant can begin to feel something within their body that the mushroom network already feels as a part of its existence. Everyone’s experience of it is uniquely personal, and that level of intimacy and connection with nature facilitates healing— of both our inner and outer worlds,” Turgeman tells Art Currently.

The benefits of using sounds to relax the body include reduced anxiety, increased sense of calm and sleep, and lower blood pressure. Turgeman believes that experiencing the mycelial network for ourselves can be a deeply meditative experience. “We are constantly barraged by stimuli, but meditation can happen anywhere at any chosen moment. By listening, both literally and figuratively, to the mycelium network, we can understand the value of the humble mushroom more than we could simply by looking at it. Mycelium networks are constantly communicating; that’s what we can experience by tapping into the vibratory sound of the mushroom,” she argues.

In “Rooted Signals,” Turgeman shatters the belief that nature and technology are at odds and demonstrates how the two can coexist. “Technological progress is not necessarily always threatening nature, which is inherently part of why “Rooted Signals” exists; it suggests more of a relationship between nature and technology. By learning from nature, we can create a more harmonious way of evolving our technologies. And in some cases, we need to utilize technology to learn about aspects of nature that are not perceivable by human senses,” the artist explains. Turgeman repositions the mushroom as singular and monumental while drawing our attention to the communication system it uses for survival.

Turgeman has been cultivating her namesake studio, Raise the Moral, in the heart of Los Angeles. Her approach is rooted in an intuitive, sensorial appreciation for the enigmatic relationship between form, subject, and site, with her Art often being a conduit for self-discovery by inspiring wonder and awe.

“For me, creating immersive, multi-sensory experiences– whether through the use of technology or not– will continue to be a prevailing theme in my practice.”