Art of light and movement

Aalto University's new Kide Building in Espoo, Finland, now features "In Motion," a public art installation by French artist Baptiste Debombourg. The work was commissioned by Aalto University and curated by Outi Turpeinen.The Kide Building, designed by SARC+SIGGE Architects, serves the School of Basic Sciences (Applied Physics) and the School of Electrical Engineering at Aalto University.

'In motion' – public art, commissioned by Aalto University for the Kid Building, Dipoli, Otakaari 24, Espoo, Finland. Curated by Outi Turpeinen. Technical information: mirror polished stainless steel (AISI 316), Dune small 3 mm Fielitz GmbH © laser-cut by Laserle Oy, technical drawing by Sweco Finland, installation&chemical wall sealing by Urmet Aare. Courtesy Patricia Dorfmann – Paris; Ipercubo Gallery – Milan; Krupic Kersting Gallery – Cologne; Studio Baptiste Debombourg – Paris.
Photo credit: Baptiste Debombourg | Adagp

Located at the heart of the Otaniemi campus, the building forms part of the distinctive campus view toward the Alvar Aalto-designed Undergraduate Center. Debombourg's "In Motion" draws inspiration from the effects of light reflecting off the sea waves onto architecture and landscapes. Positioned at a busy crossroads where pedestrians, cars, trams, and the nearby sea all converge, the building provided a unique opportunity for Debombourg to explore these dynamic interactions. The mirror-polished stainless steel, undulated to create a wave-like form, interacts with the surrounding light and movement, amplifying the natural flow of its environment. The installation transforms the building’s appearance depending on the time of day and light intensity, making it a captivating sight even in low light.

Externally, the design mimics the structure of the windows on the first floor, resembling flowing liquid that gradually occupies the space. Internally, the artwork evokes the splash of a wave, welcoming visitors with its dynamic energy. This piece not only enhances the building’s architecture but also serves as a visual landmark for passersby.

About Baptiste Debombourg

Baptiste Debombourg is an artist known for his primarily sculptural works, where he combines materials and information to reveal hidden, unspoken, or overlooked stories. Often described as a "restorative" artist, Debombourg repairs walls, furniture, and objects while intentionally exposing their scars. His monumental works are paradoxical, precarious, and fragile, paying tribute to destruction and incomplete restoration rather than power. Beyond their ironic undertones, these mobile reconstructions engage with themes of time, history, memory, and dreams.