"PANACHE" was designed and presented during the 2022 edition of the MATJOUKANN architecture festival in Saint-Pierre, Martinique, during the commemoration of the 120th anniversary of the eruption of Mount Pelée.
This ephemeral installation illustrates the phenomenon of the volcanic plume, often a precursor to eruptions. Its location, the former fountain in the Louis Ernoult Garden, symbolizes the crater from which the plume rises. Through its temporary intervention in this space, the work aims to stimulate the audience's imagination by inviting them to adopt a new perspective on the traumatic aspect of this natural disaster. With its monumental presence at the heart of the garden, the installation also reexamines the use of this abandoned space by the local residents.
The spatial scale of the project dominates the visitor, echoing the power of a volcanic event. The installation interacts with natural elements. The wind sets the work in motion, much like the fumaroles of a volcano. The shadow cast on the ground boils, and the sky is veiled by a cloud of fabric.
The theme of the eruption presents two faces (one during the day and one at night). As night falls, the eruption is revealed through a lighting display that bathes the installation in the reddish glow of a volcano in action. A new dimension emerges, and the eruptive chaos unfolds.
"PANACHE" is a suspended structure that does not rely on any ground support. Its stretched structure spans 50 meters, and the mass of fabric covers approximately 400 square meters. The surrounding trees serve as the pillars of the installation. The setup was carried out without any electrical tools and created no disruption to the peaceful atmosphere of the garden.
The choice of materials was made with a focus on sustainability and reuse. The mesh that supports the fabric is made of recycled fishing nets, which were repaired for the occasion. The fabric itself consists of mosquito netting, which, at the end of the event, was reused for its original purpose in homes to protect against mosquitoes and was also used in a graphic design school as a creative medium.
