Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/666022
10 bostoncommon-magazine.com PhotograPhy by Lukas suchorab. styLing by Johanna hir Performance artist Viktoria Modesta's black prosthetic leg, which she wears during her music video Prototype, currently showing at MFA's "#techstyle" exhibit, raises questions about "how a different body silhouette can provoke unexpected emotions," says Modesta. BIONIC BEAUTY What is beauty? MIt's Vi toria Modesta raIses as Many questIons as she ansWers. Viktoria Modesta has come a long, long way from her hometown of Daugavpils, Latvia. In and out of hospitals as a child, the model, singer, and performance artist underwent a below-the- knee amputation as a 20-year-old. Nine years later, on March 5 of this year, Modesta mingled as a VIP and participating artist at the opening for the Museum of Fine Arts' "#techstyle" exhibit. In her music video Prototype, a featured piece in "#techstyle," Modesta dances, leaps, and twirls while wearing a gleaming, black spike leg that she designed herself. "Techstyle is one of the most exciting trends," she says. "It's deeply rooted in how we identify with technology. The leg [created by the Alternative Limb Project] inspires the imagination [by raising the question of] how a different body silhouette can provoke unexpected emotions." As a Director's Fellow at MIT, Modesta continues her quest to inspire. "I'm working with the biomechatronics team and civic media—and, oh, possibly some tech fashion," she says. "So stay tuned." We will. . MoMent