Yoshitomo Nara's "Miss Forest (LACMA Version)" represents a monumental addition to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)'s outdoor sculpture collection, gifted by an anonymous donor in 2020. This towering work, standing at an impressive height of over 25 feet, marks Nara's largest outdoor sculpture to date. Created for a retrospective of Nara's work at LACMA, "Miss Forest" has quickly become a prominent feature of the museum's landscape, accessible to the public alongside other significant outdoor sculptures such as Michael Heizer's "Levitated Mass" and Chris Burden's "Urban Light".
The sculpture's Japanese title, "Moriko," translates to "child of the forest," aptly capturing the essence of Nara's creation. Nara's vision for "Miss Forest" was to embody a connection with the earth and the universe, serving as a bridge between the ground we walk on and the skies above. This idea draws on a profound sense of spirituality and communication with the cosmos, reminiscent of indigenous rituals of connecting with the natural world. The sculpture's form, with its distinctive tree-like hair resembling a tannenbaum, originates from Nara's earlier works in clay that evolved into this iconic series of bronze sculptures. Each "Miss Forest" sculpture, characterized by hand-molded impressions, conveys a sense of serenity and transcendence, reflecting Nara's deep engagement with themes of nature, spirituality, and the human condition (Unframed) (Artsy).
"Miss Forest" is not just an artistic landmark but a symbol of Nara's introspective exploration of his cultural heritage and the universal human experience. Through this sculpture, Nara invites viewers into a contemplative dialogue with the environment, encouraging a moment of pause and reflection amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life. The placement of "Miss Forest" at LACMA, particularly along Wilshire Boulevard, positions the sculpture as a beacon of tranquility and a testament to the enduring power of art to connect us with the deeper aspects of our existence and the natural world.