Designboom_ French artist Vincent Leroy transforms the Nakameguro Canal in Tokyo into a mesmerizing installation with his latest work, Floating Orbs. Made from carbon rods, 3D printed components, and mirrored spheres, these monumental mobiles swirl above the water, responding delicately to the movement of the air. Their balanced structure creates a celestial presence, enhancing the urban environment with an otherworldly vision. The spheres catch and distort their surroundings, creating shifting reflections that evolve throughout the day and night. Appearing to defy gravity as they sway above the canal, the fluid orbs form a constellation in perpetual motion.

Paris-based Vincent Leroy’s work often merges technical precision with poetic expression, and Floating Orbs is no exception. From the canal walkways, viewers can observe the installation from various angles to get a new perspective on the interaction between the orbs and their reflections. The mirrored surfaces transform the urban landscape into moving anamorphoses, adding a surreal quality to the setting.

As evening falls, the spheres capture the fading sunlight and the glow of Tokyo, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. The installation becomes even more captivating at night, when the reflections blend with the city lights, offering a moment of stillness amid the city’s vibrant energy.