the AZIMUT moving art installation offers a fragmented view of venice's architecture

created by french designer and artist arnaud lapierre, AZIMUT is a dynamic art installation that provides an alternative perspective of venice. composed of 16 moving mirrors, the temporary work is designed to sit on the riva degli schiavoni, in front of the exquisite palazzo ducale (or doge’s palace). as the mirrors slowly turn, architectural details are fragmented and magnified, offering a captivating view of the beautiful gothic architecture. 

all images courtesy of arnaud lapierre

lapierre has designed the AZIMUT installation using 16 motors, 16 batteries, black painted MDF and stainless steel discs. motorized and synchronized, the magnifying mirror disks slowly direct the viewer’s gaze towards the elements that make up what is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. from palazzo ducale to st mark’s campanile, to the church of san giorgio maggiore that lies across the water. 

known for his previous work with mirrors, this most recent project by lapierre intends to afford viewers with a ‘dislocated immersion of reality and an abstract contemplation’. by abstracting the existing architecture and recomposing it into a kind of patchwork or mesh, the artist strives to create ‘the possibility of both detailed and fractional evasion from our environment’.

project info:

project name: AZIMUT

artist: arnaud lapierre

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom