TIMELINE | emmanuelle moureaux INC.

Lumière is the largest private office building in Paris, located in the 12th arrondissement, at the heart of the business district “Bercy”. The building has seven upper floors and is divided into two wings linked by a magnificent atrium. “TIMELINE” is a site-specific permanent artwork for this atrium in Lumière, which symbolizes the diversity of people and moments of life. This artwork is the first permanent artwork of the 100 colors series in France. 

Inspired by the sky, the glass roof of the atrium, this permanent artwork is an abstract visualization of the beam of light passing through, like a ray of sunlight penetrating the building. The ray of light is colored in 100 colors, bringing life, joy, and emotion to the people that illuminates the space. The artwork is made up of 3200 numbers in total, expressing years from 2023 to skyward, continuing up endlessly. From the bottom, the years begin from 2023 and 2024, two years in one row, then the years are stacked up one by one towards the sky, reaching 18m in height. The present time, 2023, is expressed in white, then the future years are expressed in 100 colors. The gradation of 100 colors from the bottom emphasizes the flow of time.

All numbers face the lounge area, and the glass facade on the other side. The numbers are fixed to keep stillness and prevent from turning, so they appear like a real line of light, even when viewed from a distance.

“TIMELINE” shines a ray of light into people's daily lives, explores new relationships with others, and becomes part of the wonderful moments.

100 colors no.47 “TIMELINE” is part of Emmanuelle’s "100 colors" installation series.

Photography: THEO BAULIG / RAPHAEL METIVET