selgascano sculpts sinuous floating pavilion for the bruges triennial

from now through mid-september, the historic belgian city of bruges becomes a playground of public artworks and installations. the 2018 bruges triennial unites fifteen artists and architects under the theme of ‘liquid city’, using water — which crosses and surrounds the city — as a metaphor for flexibility and resiliency at a time when nothing seems certain. together, the meeting points, pavilions and artistic happenings form an open inviting trail that brings people together in unexpected places.

as part of the program, spanish architectural firm selgascano has erected an eye-catching organic structure that offers a peaceful retreat on the water’s edge. 

image © iwan baan

floating on the canal, selgascano’s structure — photographed here by iwan baan — forms an organically-shaped habitat with hot pink and orange semi-translucent walls. the color of the pavilion’s façade generates filtered views of the surrounding water, and offers a sunny and serene spot to stop and rest. the structure’s sinuous silhouette snakes across the water and sits on a floating platform that offers an ideal place for adults and children to wade in or venture a splash in the canals.

the project embodies one of the main objectives of the bruges triennial 2018: generating encounters, and challenging the public to not only view artwork, but also to experience it and become part of the creative process.

image © iwan baan

image © iwan baan

image © iwan baan

image © iwan baan

image © iwan baan

image © iwan baan

image © iwan baan

image © iwan baan

image © iwan baan

selgascano talks through the creative process | video courtesy of triënnale brugge

1/12