Artificial Landscapes
Architect-turned-artist, Cyril Lancelin, explores the blurry lines between the physical and the fictional.
Cyril began his career working for architects and artists in Paris and Los Angeles, using 3D modeling techniques and virtual images that he developed in the 1990s. He creates what he calls “Artificial landscapes” in both the VR and the physical worlds. His work translates into massive outdoor public-art installations that make us question our relationship with our built environments.
Chain, 2018. By Cyril Lancelin.
Amor Díaz: Can you remember the first piece of art and/or installation you saw that really captivated your imagination?
Cyril Lancelin: Yes, in 2004, I remember my fascination seeing Donald Judd artwork in Marfa, Texas. Minimalism with strong colors. His work accumulates what I like: architecture, art, the use of monobloc colors, and a straight aspect.
AD: We are obsessed with “The Meeting Place”. Can you tell us a bit more about what it is and how the project started?
CL: The Meeting Place starts in 2021. It’s a virtual reality platform I created with Benny Or. The creation defies the laws of physics and stretches our imagination. The digital worlds should be more than mere replicas of the physical world. A virtual space could be both architecture and art, The Meeting Place’ is our vision for what the metaverse can become — a place of beauty and inspiration. The bright pink exterior hosts a space that can be optimized for a variety of uses, like hosting a virtual art gallery, developing a coworking space, or acting as a meeting room. “The Meeting Place” is hosted on Spatial.io but can also be moved to other XR platforms. There are already some events taking place in "The Meeting Place", the launch of a new magazine, an nft exhibition, a fashion show, and more to come.
AD: Can you tell us about your collaboration with Coach and Snapchat?
CL: For Coach, I created a larger-than-life inflatable sculpture, seamlessly wove in the iconic Coach C, and took on the playful plushness of the Coach bag named « Pillow Tabby ». The collaboration took place in 3 different cities: London (7-10/04/2022) - Berlin ( 7-11/05/2022)— Dubai (26/05-04/06/2022).
-« Connections » is my collaboration with Snapchat at Dubai Expo 2020. It includes interactive AR experience made by Snap Star Ahmad Ali. Inspired by geometry and arabic motifs, my work is an inflatable structure forming an immersive cube whose labyrinthine structure creates a unique space for exploration and contemplation.
AD: We know you have a background in architecture and art. Can you explain to our readers the duality you explore in your works between architecture and the human body, the physical and the fictional?
CL: My work exposes the human body to hugeness and offers visitors an immersion in a world made of primitive geometric shapes. This uncommon experience and the mix of architecture and art allow a real and imaginary experience. The visitor is physically present in a futuristic place, an ephemeral space.
AD: When you create/produce an installation, where does it all start? What is your creative process like?
CL: Tapping into creativity means closing my eyes, drawing, thinking.... again and again and everywhere. I like to imagine projects when I close my eyes.
AD: Do you have a favorite museum or collection you like to go to for inspiration?
CL: Yes I like the Beaux-Arts museum in Lyon, the Louvre Museum, the Centre Pompidou, the Moco museum in Barcelona and Amsterdam, and the new Bourse du Commerce in Paris.
AD: What music inspires you. Who do you have in your Spotify playlist?
CL: A wide range of music: indie, pop-rock, electro, classical, punk, and at the moment especially Glass Animals a group for which I drew a work for their performance at the Billboard Music Awards in 2021. I am a big fan of The Mars Volta and At the Drive-In, my favorite band.
AD: Any exciting projects you are working on right now?
CL: Great projects in China and a big project in Paris among others. Working on some NFT as well, and on my 2 first big solo exhibitions coming at the end of the year and the summer of 2023.