ANTOINE DUFILHO

Description of the artwork:

Base in polished STAINLESS STEEL. Body made of painted steel plates.

"At the heart of aviation history, the Rafale fighter jet produced by Dassault remains a timeless icon, symbolizing power and advanced technology. Today, I unveil my unique vision of this flying marvel. Inspired by the concepts of speed and acceleration, this sculpture evokes the interplay between mechanical precision and aerial grace.
My artistic approach was guided by the idea of capturing kinetic momentum and the sensation of freedom felt in the skies.
Every curve, every line of the "Rafale" has been deliberately designed to evoke a motion frozen in time, as if this powerful aircraft were in mid-takeoff, poised to leap to new heights. The choice to depict the plates as if they were projected backward adds to the sense of movement it evokes.
Transparency and the manipulation of perspectives guide this creation, inviting the observer to explore every angle to discover a fresh vision of the aircraft. The choice of materials is crucial in crafting this artwork. Microblasted stainless steel, a symbol of resilience and mechanical strength, harmoniously blends with the precious mirrored polish, representing the elegance and fluidity of aerial maneuvers. Representing the thrusters in the same materiality as the base makes the supporting elements of the aircraft disappear. This fusion of two contrasting worlds offers a new dimension to the sculpture. The sharp forms of stainless steel evoke the radicality of the mechanical components of the aircraft.
The "Rafale" asserts itself as a fighter jet that claims its place in the sky; this sculpture seamlessly integrates into its space, playing with natural light to create a different sensory and physical experience for each viewer.
Thus, beyond a mere representation of the Rafale fighter jet, the "Rafale" transcends the notions of speed and acceleration to capture the very essence of movement within immobility."