vincent leroy installs kinetic cloud wireframe in morocco’s desert

building upon previous molecular cloud series, the project transforms the cloud-like volume into an open metal lattice, where lines and voids become inseparable.

Vincent Leroy edited by christina vergopoulou November 12, 2026 3 min

prefer designboom on google

POROUS MOLECULAR CLOUD WIREFRAME emerges from AGAFAY DESERT

Sited in Morocco’s Agafay Desert, Molecular Cloud Wireframe is a kinetic installation by French artist Vincent Leroy that investigates spatial perception, movement, and structural transparency. Building upon his previous Molecular Cloud series, including the installation presented at Coachella, the project translates a cloud-like volume into an open, three-dimensional metal lattice where linear elements and empty voids share equal structural weight.

white spherical metal grids on poles compose Molecular Cloud Wireframe by Vincent Leroy in a vast desert landscape under an overcast sky, with birds flying — Molecular Cloud Wireframe against the vast desert landscape of Agafay | all images ©Vincent Leroy

Curved linear ribs outline intersecting spherical geometries

The interwoven metal framework outlines a constellation of intersecting spherical geometries through curved linear ribs. This porous configuration functions similarly to a three-dimensional moucharabieh, filtering sightlines and fragmenting views of the surrounding desert terrain as the viewer changes perspective. By dematerializing volume into a network of lines, the sculpture by artist Vincent Leroy operates simultaneously as a physical object and a spatial drawing. Diurnal shifts in natural light continually alter this reading: direct daylight emphasizes the structural depth and overlapping spherical volumes, while dusk increases contrast against the sky, flattening the three-dimensional assembly into a graphic, two-dimensional silhouette.

white spherical metal grids of the molecular cloud wireframe sculpture against a gray sky, close up — the semi-transparent metal cloud merges with the heavy, cloud-filled skies

vincent-leroy-porous-molecular-cloud-wireframe-kinetic-installation-morocco-agafay-desert-designboom-1800-2 — a shifting web of lines

molecular cloud wireframe sculpture, a cluster of white spherical metal grids, on a desert hill — an unexpected cloud draws curious glances from local passersby

cluster of large spherical metal grids, part of Vincent Leroy's installation, against a cloudy sky — the metal cloud meets the last light of day

molecular cloud wireframe by Vincent Leroy, a cluster of spherical metal grids on poles in a desert landscape at sunset — a play of light and shadow across the metal lattice

cluster of spherical metal grids, part of the installation, silhouetted against a dramatic sunset sky — like a giant moucharabieh, the metal lattice draws delicate patterns against the sunset sky

vincent-leroy-porous-molecular-cloud-wireframe-kinetic-installation-morocco-agafay-desert-designboom-1800-3 — from above, beneath a sky ablaze with gold

project info:

name: Molecular Cloud Wireframe

designer: Vincent Leroy | @vincent_leroy_studio

location: Agafay Desert, Morocco

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. See more project submissions from our readers here.