In 1852, Victor Hugo pointed out to the city council of Leuven the fact that the town hall had been missing his sculptures in his 236 empty niches for more than 3 centuries. The Belgian independency (1830) was a good reason to give Belgium a face by changing this situation. The newly implemented statues represent religious figures, in addition to scholars and other historical figures, largely linked to Leuven. The two large chandeliers refer to this anecdote by immortalizing the story from a structure with pinnacles and canopies where the niches are effectively kept empty. The six-armed chandeliers are constructed in three levels from 3520 stainless steel discs that slide together like a puzzle. The pinnacles and canopies are a direct translation of one specific statue from the façade, which was 3D scanned and than was sliced to come to its specific shape. The light that falls on the objects creates a lot of shades and reflection and refers to the earlier use of crystal. 24 dimmable light spots were implemented into the canopies to lighten the concept and to adjust the grade of grey reflection.
Materials: aluminium, stainless steel