Behind the Shade

Difference and Overlay

Perforated Discs, Motor, Microcontroller, Solar Panel

Behind the Shade is a project that aims to experiment the use of dynamic interference patterns to shape natural sunlight through kinetic and optical installations.

The pieces in this series take the form of superimposed discs with finely perforated quasi-periodic patterns. When they rotate, light interferences emerge at the meeting of these two structures and give birth to dynamic evolving patterns casting generative shadows.

Two installations stemming from this project are currently being built and will be unveiled publicly at the beginning of summer 2023.

Heliocyclic Rhythms is kinetic sunlight installation made of 12 discs suspended on a triangular mesh. It is designed to function autonomously thanks to the sun which fulfills the double function of providing the energy necessary for the movement, and the light which projects the dynamic patterns in the form of moving shadows. It will be premiered at Waking Life 2023 in Crato, Portugal.

Blooming Shades is a contemplative and functional installation developed in collaboration with Constance de Gabory for outdoor cultural events. It takes the form of a large flower-inspired wooden structure, which distributes in an exagonal way 6 seating areas shaded by colourful flower-shaped sail for the petals, while the center hosts 120cm blooming discs from the Transient Shades project.

It was premiered La Nature 2023 in the Belgian Ardennes.

Special thanks to Chrisitian Simon and Sorbonne Université’s FabLab for letting me use their laser cutters, and to Barthélémy Pradines for the sanding and support.