Monika Plioplyte

I For Nested Pattern / photo-based performance / archival inkjet prints / ED of 10 each / 2020 - on going

In these works, I adorn myself with paper latticework inspired by traditional Lithuanian weaving designs. These paper textiles, woven and collaged, take the form of tapestries suspended on walls, composed of countless tiny female bodies. Each figure is a risograph-printed cut-out that echoes the poses of ancient pagan goddesses from Eastern Europe. While these images are ultimately derived from my own form, they encapsulate a broader cultural and historical narrative.

In this ongoing series I document myself through photo-based performances in natural environments resembling my homeland of Lithuania. The landscapes carry deep sentimental value and evoke longing for a place or a past. Drawing inspiration from Baltic Pagan mythology and the worship of nature gods, I explore the ancient mode of communication rooted in the body and ritualistic practices, seeking connection with my ancestors.

Employing the concept of 'Nested Pattern' which signifies patterns within patterns, I draw parallels between traditional Lithuanian weaving patterns and the universal language encoded in the structural patterns of the DNA.Through this interplay, I aim to forge a link connecting past and present, self and collective.