Moving reflections

A mirroring installation between light, waves, and architecture welcomes students and passersby in the new Kide Building of Aalto University, transforming an urban crossroads into a dynamic and contemplative visual experience.

A public work between light and landscape

In motion is the title of the public work by Baptiste Debombourg, commissioned by Aalto University and curated by Outi Turpeinen for the new Kide Building designed by SARC+SIGGE Architects. The building, intended for the School of Basic Sciences and the School of Electrical Engineering, is located in the heart of the Otaniemi campus, in a strategic area between trams, pedestrians, and views of the iconic center designed by Alvar Aalto. It is this intersection that inspired the artist to explore the relationship between movement, urban landscape, and reflections of natural light.

Matter becomes wave, space vibrates

The surface of the installation is made of mirror-polished stainless steel that is slightly undulated: a durable material capable of not rusting and withstanding temperatures below zero. Positioned 30 mm from the wall, the panel reacts to light and passing by with a dynamic play of shimmering reflections. The artwork functions as an abstract window that transforms daily passage into a poetic experience. Among the most significant artistic installations in contemporary academic settings, it amplifies movements and stimulates contemplation – even from those observing from passing trams.

Architecture and art merge in a wave

The external profile of the artwork recalls the lines of the first-floor windows and develops as a liquid flow that runs along the facade, invading the space. Inside, instead, the sculpture opens up in a splash: a reflected wave that welcomes visitors and guides them to the entrance. With this dual nature, the artwork marks the main entrance to the Kide Building, becoming a clear, yet ever-changing visual reference in the campus landscape.

Public Art for New Architectural Projects

In motion can be defined as a sensory device that integrates with the building and completes it. It makes tangible the connection between contemporary art, academic space, and urban design, strengthening the visual identity of the campus. With its abstract language and its ability to interact with light and context, Debombourg's work enhances public art as an integral part of the daily experience.

Moving reflections

A public work between light and landscape

Matter becomes wave, space vibrates

Architecture and art merge in a wave

Public Art for New Architectural Projects

Gallery