As part of 2018 Contemporary Art and Architecture Triennial in Bruges, Spanish studio SelgasCano has conceived a brightly-colored addition to the city’s famous canals.
This year’s Bruges Triennial unites fifteen artists and architects under the theme of ‘liquid city’, using water — which crosses and surrounds the city — as a metaphor for flexibility and resiliency at a time when nothing seems certain. together, the meeting points, pavilions and artistic happenings form an open inviting trail that brings people together in unexpected places.
As part of the program, SelgasCano has designed an eye-catching organic structure in the Coupure Canal that offers a peaceful retreat on the water’s edge.
The outer layer allows light to travel playfully through the space, distorting the natural perception of the old city, and acts as a muse for photographers. In addition to it being a swimming installation, the platform also serves as a place for gatherings and activities.
The installation consists of a steel skeleton enclosed by a fluorescent pink-orange vinyl. This waterproof plastic material has never been used in a building and was constructed on site in a completely hand-made process. A yellow wooden platform is attached to the installation, continuing the interactive experience by allowing visitors to jump into the canal for a swim.
The playfulness of the light and colors, as well as its ability to create interaction with the visitors, is a throwback to SelgasCano’s impressive portfolio, notably the 2015 Serpentine Pavilion. Showcased in London, the Serpentine was a playful render of the chaotic, London underground.
