François Hurtaud's Noeuds Marins: A Glass Knot Cast in Light

François Hurtaud's limited-edition glass sculpture, Noeuds Marins, transforms a childhood figure-eight knot into a permanent, illuminated object. The piece originated from rope studies conducted by the designer, who examined the knot's structure and movement before translating its geometry into a three-dimensional form through modelling, prototyping, and casting processes across workshops in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong. When lit, the sculpture projects a braided shadow onto surrounding walls, with the shadow shifting according to the viewer's position and light conditions, creating a dynamic interplay between the static object and its projection. Each edition is unique, combining the permanence of cast glass with the ephemeral qualities of light and shadow. The project was documented by photographers Pak Chung and Mak Hoi Tung, and was submitted to designboom via their DIY submissions feature.