Yurika Takemura's Walkable Steel Net Wins Special Prize at Festival des Architectures Vives 2026
Yurika Takemura, a Japanese architect and the founder of Yurica Design & Architecture, designed 'Liminality in Motion – As Boundaries Begin to Move' for the 2026 Festival des Architectures Vives in Montpellier, France. This twelve-meter suspended steel mesh net was showcased in Cour Hortoles from June 9 to June 14, 2026, and received the Premier Prix du Jury Spécial 20 ans. The installation, aligned with the 'Transmission' theme, encourages visitors to traverse the net, transforming invisible boundaries into tangible experiences. It incorporates transparent resin medallions featuring textures from Montpellier. An immersive performance by Yui Takeshima and Haruna Kawamura, guided by Prof. Tohru Horiguchi, examined 'awai.' The Public Prize was awarded to 'Panache de Lumière' by Ateliers A+.
Key facts
- Yurika Takemura created 'Liminality in Motion – As Boundaries Begin to Move' for the 2026 Festival des Architectures Vives.
- The installation is a twelve-metre (39 ft) suspended steel mesh net in the Cour Hortoles courtyard, Montpellier, France.
- It won the Premier Prix du Jury Spécial 20 ans, a special award for the festival's twentieth anniversary.
- The festival's 2026 theme was 'Transmission', with thirteen installations commissioned.
- The piece includes resin medallions with textures cast from Montpellier's streets.
- An immersive performance was developed with Yui Takeshima and Haruna Kawamura, based on Noh theatre.
- Takemura was mentored by Prof. Tohru Horiguchi, with support from POLA Art Foundation, Asada Mesh, SFA Japan, and Arts Council Tokyo.
- The installation was on view from 9–14 June 2026.
- Ateliers A+ won the Public Prize for 'Panache de Lumière'.
Entities
Artists
- Yurika Takemura
- Yui Takeshima
- Haruna Kawamura
- Tohru Horiguchi
Institutions
- Yurica Design & Architecture
- Festival des Architectures Vives
- POLA Art Foundation
- Asada Mesh
- SFA Japan
- Arts Council Tokyo
- Ateliers A+
Locations
- Montpellier
- France
- Nara
- Cour Hortoles