Marta Pan , Floating lentils

Marta Pan
Floating lenses, 1994
Molded resin, polyester primer and polyeruthane lacquer finishes
Diameters: 210 x 105 cm and 82.7 x 41.3 cm
Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Mitterrand

Cn 1960, Marta Pan created her first floating sculpture. The Lentilles flottantes presented here are characteristic of Marta Pan's artistic practice. Their appearance is inspired by the plant and organic forms dear to the artist - in this case, lentils. Presented on the water, which the artist considers to be her ally, the sculptures move at a slow, continuous and natural rhythm, according to the movements of the water in the pond, the rain and the wind. Anchored, the Floating Lenses have a perimeter of movement and cannot touch one another. Reflecting his artistic practice, the sculpture is halfway between the natural and the built, and thus embraces the architecture of the Chalais basin.

Born in 1923 in Budapest, Hungary. Died in 2008 in Paris, France. Marta Pan is an emblematic figure of French sculpture. In her work, she attaches importance to the link between the work and its environment, and is interested in organic forms that she transposes into an abstract plastic language. According to Marta Pan, sculpture has always dreamed of movement. Thus, the use of natural kinetic energies such as air and water is crucial to her work, which is often presented on bodies of water.