Bourrasque by Paul Cocksedge Studio

In the grand courtyard of Lyon's Hotel de Ville, Paul Cocksedge and Joana Pinho combined their interest in the nature and morphology of paper with light.

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A ream of paper scatters in a gust of wind, soaring high into the black winter night, every sheet glowing bright, against a backdrop of the most exquisite 17th century architecture... The site is the grand courtyard of Lyon's Hotel de Ville, and the occasion is the city's annual Festival of Light, a winter tradition drawing thousands of visitors to its festive attractions. In his installation Bourrasque, designer Paul Cocksedge has combined his interest in the nature and morphology of paper with a subject that has long been an important element of his design work: light... In both scale and technique, this is an ambitious project. Bourrasque measures 25 metres in length and reaches over 15 metres at its highest point. The 200 A3-sized sheets are made from electroluminescent (EL) material, a technology which has recently advanced rapidly to produce a range of sophisticated colour temperatures, in thin and extremely flexible sheets. Each of these double-sided sheets has been individually moulded by hand in London, and then assembled on site in a structure of extraordinary finesse and detail barely visible to the human eye.

<i>Bourrasque</i> by Paul Cocksedge Studio for the Mairie De Lyon, <i>Fête des Lumières</i>. Hotel de Ville, Lyon, France. Photo © Mark Cocksedge — *Bourrasque* by Paul Cocksedge Studio for the Mairie De Lyon, *Fête des Lumières*. Hotel de Ville, Lyon, France. Photo © Mark Cocksedge

Paul Cocksedge explains: "I've been fascinated for a long time by the various properties of light: how it emanates, how it diffuses, bends, reflects, and scatters. With these EL sheets I've been able to explore much further the idea of light as a flat object, as something touchable and malleable - not housed in a glass bulb or a neon strip, but an object you can bend and twist - and almost see it come alive in your hands..." You might see these luminous sheets as documents that have suddenly escaped the confines of the offices and archives housed in this historic building, merrily fluttering on the wintry air... Equally, one might be reminded of the future of the paper medium itself, and specifically the new prototype developments in the physical shape of written media: thin, flexible tablets for downloading newspapers and magazines, perhaps even television and film. As with all Paul Cocksedge's work, Bourrasque shows his acute sense of the role of technology in design, combined with a characteristic lightness of touch, with elegance and joy.

London based PAUL COCKSEDGE STUDIO is the internationally acclaimed design practice of partners Paul Cocksedge and Joana Pinho. Notable for in-house design of concepts, installations, public interventions and exclusive interior objects, the Studio explores the limits of technology in order to create unique design experiences. With an interdisciplinary approach and an acute sense of quality, Paul Cocksedge Studio reinvents contemporary design as an event. The Studio accepts commissions and occasional consultancy work for a wide range of companies and sectors, with a diverse catalogue of high-profile clients encompassing luxury fashion labels, exclusive interiors manufacturers and major cultural institutions. Paul Cocksedge Studio is dedicated to building a sophisticated portfolio of unique pieces and projects of international repute.

Born in Oporto, Joana came to London in 1993 to take a BA at Central Saint Martins and MA at The Royal College of Art in Visual Communication. Joana runs the Studio, and is in charge of the business management and strategy. With over eight years strong and successful product and project management in a design and business environment, she has delivered key projects for national and international clients within a broad range of industries. She is bilingual in Portuguese and English, makes London her home.

Born in London, Paul escaped to take Industrial Design at Sheffield Hallam University. He returned to London for his MA in Product Design at the Royal College of Art, under Ron Arad. Paul now lectures in turn and has exhibited around the world, successfully establishing himself as one of Britain's leading designers. He is the face of the Studio and in charge of its creative direction.