figure-eight knot casts into a glass light sculpture projecting shifting shadows

noeuds marins is a limited-edition light sculpture that freezes a figure-eight knot, then sets its shadow free.

Francois edited by christina vergopoulou September 2, 2026 3 min

Noeuds Marins turns Hand-Tied Knot into glass light sculpture

Noeuds Marins (Glass Knot) by François Hurtaud transforms a figure-eight knot into a limited-edition light sculpture. Drawing on a knot the designer learned to tie in Brittany during childhood, the project translates a familiar manual gesture into a fixed glass form illuminated from within.

Traditionally tied and untied by hand, the knot is preserved here as a permanent object. When lit, the sculpture projects a braided shadow onto the surrounding wall. While the knot itself remains static, its shadow changes according to the viewer’s position and the conditions of light within the space, creating a shifting relationship between object and projection.

figure-eight knot casts into a glass light sculpture projecting shifting shadows - 1 — all images by Pak Chung, Mak Hoi Tung

sculpture combines glass, internal light, and shifting shadow

The project by designer Francois Hurtaud originated through a process of manual study and repetition. Working with rope, Hurtaud examined the structure and movement of the figure-eight knot before translating its geometry into a three-dimensional form. The sculpture was subsequently developed through modelling, prototyping, and casting processes carried out across workshops in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong.

Each edition is produced as a unique piece, combining the permanence of the cast object with the changing qualities of light and shadow.

figure-eight knot casts into a glass light sculpture projecting shifting shadows - 2 — Noeuds Marins transforms a figure-eight knot into a glass light sculpture

figure-eight knot casts into a glass light sculpture projecting shifting shadows - 3 — a familiar hand-tied gesture becomes a fixed three-dimensional form

noeuds-marins-francois-hurtaud-figure-eight-knot-light-sculpture-designboom-1800-3 — the glass sculpture preserves the geometry of the figure-eight knot

figure-eight knot casts into a glass light sculpture projecting shifting shadows - 4 — the limited-edition piece is illuminated from within

figure-eight knot casts into a glass light sculpture projecting shifting shadows - 5 — the final sculpture translates rope geometry into cast glass

noeuds-marins-francois-hurtaud-figure-eight-knot-light-sculpture-designboom-1800-2 — rope studies were used to examine the knot’s structure and movement

figure-eight knot casts into a glass light sculpture projecting shifting shadows - 6 — changing light conditions alter the relationship between object and projection

noeuds-marins-francois-hurtaud-figure-eight-knot-light-sculpture-designboom-1800-4 — light extends the physical form into the surrounding space

project info:

name: Noeuds Marins
designer: Francois Hurtaud | @francoishurtaud

photographer: Pak Chung, Mak Hoi Tung

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