Noeuds Marins: Figure-Eight Knot Glass Light Sculpture

Noeuds Marins, also known as Glass Knot by designer Francois Hurtaud, transforms a figure-eight knot into a limited-edition light sculpture. Drawing on a knot the designer learned to tie in Brittany during his childhood, the project translates a familiar manual gesture into a fixed glass form that is illuminated from within.

Traditionally tied and untied by hand, the knot is preserved here as a permanent object. When lit, the sculpture projects a braided shadow onto the surrounding wall. While the knot itself remains entirely static, its shadow changes according to the viewer's position and the shifting conditions of light within the space, creating a dynamic relationship between the physical object and its projection.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

The project originated through an extensive process of manual study and repetition. Working directly with rope, Hurtaud examined the structure and movement of the figure-eight knot before translating its geometry into a precise three-dimensional form. The sculpture was subsequently developed through modeling, prototyping, and casting processes carried out across specialized workshops in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong.

Each edition within the series is produced as a unique piece, successfully combining the permanence of a cast object with the ever-changing qualities of light and shadow, ultimately extending its physical form directly into the surrounding environment.

Source: designboom