Mecanique Celeste Rouille V2

About Mecanique Celeste Rouille V2

This contemporary outdoor architectural sculpture is forged from steel.

Philippe Pallafray’s visually compelling monumental sculptures are widely collected around the world. The idea behind much of his work revolves around the ephemeral beauty and fragility of life. With Mécanique Céleste Rouille, he is using organic shapes and industrial materials to explore the duality of industry and nature. Here, a highly polished stainless steel ball appears to float between two rust-coloured metal beams. One side of the beams facing the ball has a shiny, reflective surface. The metal ball sits in dramatic contrast to its natural environment. But, its gleaming surface also mirrors the surrounding landscape back to the viewer. ‘Rouille’ means rust-coloured in English. ‘Mécanique Céleste’ means ‘heavenly mechanics.’ One of a series.

“I use industrial steel components that I shape, cut into sheets, fold, weld, and patinate. I use certain mobile components so my pieces offer change from different angles. I also leave room for empty space – like a vacuum, evoking disappearance, absence, and loss. The changing elements and empty spaces in my pieces references the creative force of our perpetually evolving societies.” Philippe Pallafray

Philippe Pallafray is a member of the Sculptors Society of Canada. Born in France, he emigrated to Canada several years ago and currently lives in Ile d’Orléans, Québec. Pallafray's sculptures have been exhibited in Canada and the United States both as part of group and solo exhibitions. They are also part of public and private collections in Canada, France, Hong Kong, South Korea, Sri Lanka and the United States.

This series of Philippe Pallafray’s work is represented exclusively by the Oeno Gallery.