{"id":5334,"date":"2024-12-02T09:23:54","date_gmt":"2024-12-02T08:23:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hacnumedia.org\/digital-artworks-to-rediscover-public-spaces-focus-constellations\/"},"modified":"2025-12-22T09:41:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T08:41:08","slug":"digital-artworks-to-rediscover-public-spaces-focus-constellations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hacnumedia.org\/en\/digital-artworks-to-rediscover-public-spaces-focus-constellations\/","title":{"rendered":"Digital artworks to rediscover public spaces (Focus: Constellations)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A key event in the Grand Est region and beyond, the Constellations de Metz festival celebrated its 8th season this summer. With 35 mostly new artworks spread across around forty locations, this edition welcomed nearly one million visitors between mid-June and late August. In addition to a rich urban art programme featuring around ten works, two curatorial routes \u2014 Pierres Num\u00e9riques and Arts et Jardins \u2014 invited the public to rediscover the Moselle\u2019s public spaces and landscapes.Espace(s) Libre(s): freedom as a driving force <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Led by architect and visual artist J\u00e9r\u00e9mie Bellot<\/a>, these two routes, while distinct, share a common theme: Espace(s) Libre(s). They explore \u201cthe notions of freedom and oppression, appropriation and sharing, both individually and collectively<\/em>.\u201d Naturally, one thinks first of public space, as the festival unfolds across the city \u2014 from Fabert Garden to the majestic Saint-\u00c9tienne Cathedral, and even on the Moselle river itself with the namesake work Constellations<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n

Social spaces also take centre stage, notably with Masha<\/em>, a work by Ukrainian artists Anton Dehtiarov, Marek Kvet\u00e1n<\/a> and Svitlana Reinish<\/a>. Inspired by traditional matryoshka dolls, the figure appears abandoned on the pavement, left to her fate. Created in response to the war between Russia and Ukraine, this pop and playful project addresses notions of \u201cterritory and borders [\u2026], of freedom and social space [when] put to the test by various structures, whether those of power or those linked to questions of ownership<\/em>.\u201dMetaphysical spaces emerge as well, with works such as Oh Lord!<\/em><\/a> by Guillaume Marmin<\/a>, which interrogates \u201cconcepts of infinity, of the divine [\u2026], and the mystical vision one can have toward the solar star.<\/em>\u201d Fed by various solar observation databases, the artwork impresses with its striking visual force, enhanced by the sobriety of the Trinitaires Church that houses it. <\/p>\n\n

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Oh Lord ! – \u00a9 Martina Mlcuchova <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

By inhabiting the city, the artworks of Constellations enable a renewed appropriation of urban environments, often perceived as purely functional, transforming them into spaces for contemplation and interaction. Far more than a backdrop, each space becomes an actor in an artistic dialogue between past and future. For the public, this interaction reframes the urban environment as a site for cultural encounter and reflection on contemporary issues, stimulating curiosity for their immediate surroundings. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Revitalising the territory, across borders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

This interplay between artwork and location is evident in the two sequences of the cathedral\u2019s video mapping, but it becomes particularly striking in the case of Saint-Vincent Basilica, desacralised in 2012. Suspended in the nave is Un oiseau de passage<\/a><\/em>, by the duo Luminariste <\/a>(Benjamin Nesme & Marc Sicard), a monumental light sculpture decomposing the flight of a bird \u2014 a technical feat made possible by the determination of the festival team.\u201cAs an architect, I\u2019m used to working with constraints and building a project from them. They shape my ideas, especially for the route,<\/em>\u201d explains J\u00e9r\u00e9mie Bellot.The result meets all expectations: the piece integrates seamlessly into the Basilica, appearing to float in the nave to the sound of delicate wings and birdsong. The duo is no stranger to the festival; the project echoes their earlier work L\u2019envol<\/em><\/a>, presented on the daytime route for the past three years. <\/p>\n\n

A major new feature this year: Bellot curated the Arts et Jardins route for the first time, in addition to Pierres Num\u00e9riques, which he has led for several years. This has strengthened the connection between the two, with the inclusion of works like Dream Mapping<\/a><\/em>. <\/em>showcasing the augmented reality creations of eight international women artists, including Canadian Sabrina Ratt\u00e9<\/a> and Algerian artist RankSSS<\/a> <\/em>also known as <\/em>Sabrina Guechetouli. \u201cWe wanted to activate public space and push beyond the historic centre, expanding the territory and route for visitors.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n

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Flottante chromatique – \u00a9 Philippe Gisselbrecht<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

In the same spirit, Pierres Num\u00e9riques opens spaces that were previously little or not at all accessible to the public \u2014 such as Saint-Vincent Basilica, the R\u00e9collets cloister, or Sainte-Blandine Chapel, which is central to an ambitious cultural project for the coming years. By investing in these emblematic sites, Constellations contributes to territorial revitalisation, stimulating the local economy through visitor influx while strengthening the cultural identity of Metz and the region. <\/p>\n\n

New points of access to culture<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Free and accessible throughout Metz, the event plays a key role in democratising digital art, reaching a far wider and more diverse audience than traditional cultural venues. Installed directly in public space, each project becomes a unique and playful entry point to culture, whether for seasoned audiences or complete newcomers. <\/p>\n\n

The festival is also a meeting place for artists. \u201cWe try to support artistic projects, especially through emerging collectives, giving them tools to develop their own artistic path and professionalise.\u201d Black out in variation<\/a><\/em> is a strong example: bringing together Collectif 804<\/a>, Desaxismundi<\/a>, Catmac <\/a>and Romain Barth\u00e9l\u00e9my<\/a>, this spectacular dome-based installation was created during a residency at BLIIIDA<\/a>, supported by major institutional partners.<\/p>\n\n

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Black out in variations – \u00a9 Philippe Gisselbrecht<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Finally, across the Grand Est region, the festival contributes to a dynamic of acquiring and co-producing artworks. \u201cSeveral projects are emerging in this direction, particularly those launched with the region [\u2026]. We are developing a catalogue of works acquired by the region \u2014 a real collection.\u201dThis growing territorial cohesion anchors the festival in the regional cultural landscape. A powerful synergy, capable of elevating both local and national artistic scenes, and positioning Constellations as one of the major summer festivals dedicated to digital arts and cultures. On a national scale \u2014 and perhaps beyond? <\/p>\n\n

To explore further, listen to the podcast <\/a>interview between Romain Astouric and J\u00e9r\u00e9mie Bellot.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Romain Astouric<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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