luminous lanterns form sensual wave in la grande motte, france

luminous lanterns form sensual wave in la grande motte, france
all photos by paul kozlowski © photoarchitecture

set along la grande motte harbor in france, french architects marion moustey and alexandre arcens have placed an ephemeral installation facing the calm sea. ‘sensual wave’ (onde sensuelle) comprises rows of luminous lanterns carefully hung on string, tied from one end of a floating dock to the other.

the project, conceived for festival des architectures vives, is meant to recall the voluptuous curves of the female form, evoking a woman’s contour and characteristics through the use of a lace material canvassing the spherical orbs. the texture creates a play of of shadow and light, casting round reflections onto the surface of the water below. ‘the sensual wave plays with water, without ever touching it, brushes it, goes away from it.’ the architects describe ‘as a magical moment, the ephemeral character of the installation evokes a wave that we can’t hold back.’

at night, round reflections are cast onto the surface of the water below

the installation floats along the french harbor

by day, the lanterns calmly hover above the water’s edge

a lace material wraps the spheres, evoking feminine characteristics

the eye of visitors is guided out to sea

project credits:

name: onde sensuelle (sensual wave)
location: quai charles de gaule, la grande motte, france
client: festival des architectures vives – la grande motte 2nd edition – sensuality
prize: special mention
team: marion moustey, architect, montpellier, france; alexandre arcens, architect, paris, france
project area: 60 square meters
date: 21-29 june 2014

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