Cities of a soul

2024, acrylic on laser-cut wood, plexiglas, 3D printing, 78 x 96 x 66 cm

When we trace the cities connected to ourselves, our parents, and our grandparents, we construct an imaginary map that shapes our identities through distinct cultures and personal histories. 

Visually, borders are merely lines. Yet, a border also marks a division between states, simultaneously fostering a sense of belonging for those within its confines. The places where we, and our ancestors, were born or lived, imbue us with specific cultural influences. 

Cities of a Soul visualizes this concept as a three-dimensional family tree. Each layer denotes a city significant to Alina Mnatsakanian's family lineage – Salmast, Akhaltsikhe, Tabriz, Batoumi, Tehran, Paris, Los Angeles, and Neuchâtel. These interconnected shapes forge new identities and form through a rich tapestry of experiences.