Divine Layer

Divine Layer (2017) / Installation / resin, silicone-based putty / 100 × 100 x 30 cm / current pedestal 170 × 190 × 69 cm

About / The piece reproduces and upscales a bone flap from a human skull which is rendered as if extracted through trepanation. Underneath this magnified form is a layer of glimmering, blue, non-biodegradable material. The work speculates about the archaeology of the future, imagining a scenario in which either the existence of a mystical layer that wraps around the brain will be discovered, or the presence of plastics in our bodies will outlast our bones.

Credits / medical consulting: Mireia Crehuet / neurosurgery consulting: Joan San Molina / sculpting and painting: Joana Travé, Quagga Wildlife Art / photo documentation: Erkki Valli-Jaakola – Pori Art Museum With the support of / Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike) Shows / 2017 Pori Art Museum (FI) curated by Anni Venäläinen / 2017 Norrköping Art Museum (SE) curated by Helena Scragg / 2025 Amos Rex (FI) curated by Katariina Timonen