French artist Cyril Lancelin has unveiled his latest monumental inflatable sculpture, "Circle Stars," in the historic courtyard of the Étrépagny media library in northern France. The striking installation was presented as part of Spot, a group exhibition organized by the Department of Eure for the European Heritage Days, creating a mesmerizing dialogue between contemporary art and centuries-old architecture.
The impressive sculpture forms a giant three-dimensional constellation composed of tubular, star-shaped loops that interlock to create a circular, airy volume. The installation's reflective silver surface amplifies natural daylight and acts as a mirror for the surrounding historic architecture, including stone arcades, pitched roofs, and the open sky above. This reflective quality effectively dissolves the boundary between the artwork and its historic context, creating a seamless visual integration.
Positioned at the center of the library's cloister garden, the site-specific installation strategically frames the historic statue while establishing a compelling conversation between modern inflatable technology and ancient masonry craftsmanship. Visitors can experience shifting reflections of the courtyard and sky from multiple vantage points, whether viewing from the surrounding arcades or standing directly beneath the sculpture. The dynamic geometric form suggests a frozen moment of cosmic expansion, inviting contemplation of space and time.
For Lancelin, this project represents a continuation of his ongoing investigation into what he calls "volumetric drawings in space" – artworks that are both ephemeral and architectural in nature. The star motif within the piece symbolizes guidance and imagination, while the circular form speaks to themes of continuity and unity. Together, these elements create an accessible monument that is simultaneously playful and meditative, encouraging visitors to walk around and under the structure.
The sculpture's behavior changes dramatically throughout the day as its mirrored surface catches and redistributes light from various sources, including sunlight, clouds, and evening illumination. Under overcast skies, the surface appears almost liquid in quality, while bright sunlight causes it to fragment the courtyard into brilliant flashes of light. This ever-changing visual experience transforms the installation into what Lancelin describes as a "living lens" that absorbs and redistributes the surrounding landscape.
The installation continues Lancelin's mission to bring large-scale, participatory sculptures into public and cultural spaces, fundamentally reimagining how viewers relate to both geometric forms and their physical environment. At the Médiathèque d'Étrépagny, "Circle Stars" not only provides a striking visual experience but also reactivates the heritage site as both a social gathering place and contemplative space, drawing renewed attention to the fascinating interplay between historical architecture and contemporary creative expression.
