Located in an old courtyard in Montpellier, France, Paper Cloud stands out against natural stone walls and weathered surfaces. The sculpture was designed by Studio 3A, a collaborative project between three architects: Japanese Kazuya Katagiri, Mexican Luis Lopez Resendez, and German Marco Budeus. The three combine their cultural backgrounds and unique perspectives to achieve a creative consensus. Designing sculptural objects, they explore materials’ tactile qualities in different architectural contexts.
Made from around 2,000 pieces of laminated paper held together by the laws of physics – with no glue or bolts in sight – this giant sculpture takes visitors to an ethereal space. Depending on the time of the day, sunlight paints the pristine white surface in a subtly colored hue, while the play between shadow and light creates intriguing shapes. Visitors, whether locals or tourists, become a part of the installation as soon as they step inside the white structure. Paper-thin and ephemeral, the artwork puts an emphasis on the present moment, creating a dialogue with the ancient walls at the same time. Photographs© Studio 3A.
