Laura Lappi, a native of Finland who currently lives in Queens, New York, focuses on the psychological effects of artificial constructions and physical environments. She blends fiction and reality through hard-designed site-specific works to investigate how settings affect human perception and emotion. Lappi uses actual places and architectural shapes as inspiration to create vivid experiences that captivate viewers on an emotional and sensual level. Inspired by the ancient Japanese art of yakisugi, she uses fire to create a charring method that produces a deep black texture that reflects and absorbs light. As the wood changes from a living thing to a molded and recycled material, residing in a stage halfway between life and decay, this transformation process emphasizes the idea of metamorphosis. Fire is a key component of this metamorphosis, which highlights the alchemical character of her art and its relationship to humanity's long-standing command of elemental forces. Her careful planning and execution encourage viewers to consider their environment, promoting a more thorough investigation of the psychological and perceptual aspects of the places we live in. Through her art, Lappi invites viewers to reflect on the nuanced yet significant ways that built surroundings and architecture affect our inner states and perceptions.