floating lenses captures fragments of joshua tree

 

French artist Vincent Leroy’s latest experimental installation, Floating Lenses, takes flight in the vast expanse of the Joshua Tree desert. Drawing inspiration from the natural world, Leroy takes on large spaces as experimental canvases, from the Icelandic Glaciers to the Canarian volcanos. With this optical and aerial mobile, he challenges conventional boundaries between the tangible and the intangible, and reality and illusion, to create a structure that seems to defy gravity as its mesmerizing Fresnal lenses appear to float in a hypnotic display. Crafted from lightweight aluminum and carbon, Floating Lenses establishes a harmonious dialogue with its surroundings, capturing and reflecting a captivating fragmented interplay of light and imagery.

vincent leroy’s optical lens mobile takes flight above the desert of joshua tree
;ight and airy, the mobile floats above the desert | all images courtesy of Vincent Leroy

 

 

vincent leroy continues exploring optical mobiles

 

Transparent, airy, and lightweight, the delicate structure of Floating Lenses is made possible by its weightless composition, allowing it to gently sway gently even in the lightest breeze. The Fresnel lenses located at its ends respond to these subtle movements, coming to life in a mesmerizing floating motion. Through this interplay of intricate form and silent motion, the mobile establishes a harmonious dialogue with its surrounding environment, reflecting the radiant colors and luminosity of the Californian sky.

 

The transparent surfaces of the moving optical discs overlay the landscape to capture fragments and reveal them across the air through glimpses, engaged in ‘a hypnotic ballet.’ For the Vincent Leroy, this dialogue is essential in all of his creations.‘I want my works to be part of the real world and at the same time offer a different perspective by adding a poetic or dreamlike dimension,’ notes the artist.

vincent leroy’s optical lens mobile takes flight above the desert of joshua tree
the silhouette of the mobile in the raking light of the sunset

vincent leroy’s optical lens mobile takes flight above the desert of joshua tree
Floating Lenses draws inspiration from the natural world

vincent leroy’s optical lens mobile takes flight above the desert of joshua tree
the lenses appear to be gently swaying in the air

 

 

vincent leroy’s optical lens mobile takes flight above the desert of joshua tree
the mobile captures fragmented views of the engulfing scenery

vincent leroy’s optical lens mobile takes flight above the desert of joshua tree
Joshua Trees multiplying in the lenses

floating lenses
Vincent Leroy challenges conventional boundaries between the tangible and the intangible

floating lenses
as they intersect, the lenses reflect each other, further fragmenting views

floating lenses
Vincent Leroy makes final adjustments to his mobile on site

 

 

 

project info:

 

name: Floating Lenses
designer: Vincent Leroy

location: Joshua Tree, California

 

 

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: ravail khan | designboom