The Roots: Engaging with a Social Sculpture

This lecture explores the possibilities of flexible sculpture as social practice that engage communities in a personal exploration and social connection.

The Roots is a site-specific, handcrafted, and interactive fiber sculpture. It was inspired by nature and employs a stunning ensemble of innovative fiber art and sculptural works, many of which were originally developed with varied communities as social art projects and have subsequently been part of installations, workshops, and performances, including the French American International School, The Old Mint, the San Francisco International Arts Festival, Alonzo King Lines Ballet, and the Museum of Performance and Design.

After a brief lecture on textile and art industries, artist Latifa Medjdoub will discuss The Roots as a unique tool to generate creative and personal connections that inspire new reflections on larger social constructions.

Latifa Medjdoub was born in France. Her mediums include social art sculpture and installations, photography, painting, and performance. Her work raises questions of identity, social roles, and the metatheatricality that shapes humanity.

Educated at the École Supérieure des Arts Appliqués et du textile of Roubaix, France, Medjdoub collaborated with leading performing arts artists. Her work has been shown in museums and galleries in Europe, Asia, and North America including the Museum of Art and Industry, France; Cheongju Art Center, Korea; De Cordova Museum, MA; Santa Fe Art institute, NM; National Building Museum, DC; Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum, TX; Fort Mason, San Francisco; The Museum of Performance and Design, San Francisco.