emmanuelle moureaux uses 168,000 colorful numbers for 'slices of time' in london

digital exhibition tour: tokyo-based french architect and designer emmanuelle moureaux has unveiled a large-scale installation at NOW gallery in london, her first in the UK. titled ‘slices of time’, the piece is inspired by the gallery’s namesake and the significant location on greenwich peninsula, close to the meridian.

designed to express the past, the present and the future, the colorful exhibit comprises 168,000 small numbers composing 120 ‘slices’ of time. comprising layers in 100 shades of colours and white, together they fill the space, creating a complex and beautiful aesthetic of cut out coloured paper that doubles as a representation of the earth.

‘the measured detail, and calm considered order of moureaux’s work seemed the perfect respite from the political bedlam we are experiencing,’ says jemima burrill, curator at NOW gallery. ‘this exhibition will include everyone, giving them the opportunity to have a moment to enjoy colour and form in all its simplicity and complexity. both elements will work together to surprise and saturate, providing a moment to think about a date of significance within colourful order. a contemplative moment for all.’

‘when I first arrived in tokyo, I was fully fascinated by the colors overflowing on the street. in that very moment, my mind decided to move to japan,’ explains emmanuelle moureaux. ‘overwhelming number of store signs, flying electrical cables, and flashes of blue sky framed by various volumes of buildings, created three dimensional ‘layers’ in the city.’

‘the flood of various colors pervaded the street built up a complex depth and intensity in the space. these indelible experiences of colors and layers in tokyo were the inspiration and essence of my design concept of ‘shikiri’, which means dividing (creating) space with colors. valuing the emotion inspired from tokyo, I want to show the beauty of colors to the fullest extent.’

slices of time by emmanuelle moureaux is the latest in moureaux’s ‘100 colors’ series, which uses the full spectrum to compose intimate and thoughtful spaces. it includes a suspended paper installation of 60,000 numerals and another that uses 11,500 paper flowers. slices of time will open at london’s now gallery on 5 february and run until 17 april 2020.

project info

name: slices of time
client: NOW gallery
design: emmanuelle moureaux
dates: from 5 february until 17 april 2020
photographs: charles emerson