The Cube Universe - Le Grand Bleu


multidisciplinary art project

For many years Valentin Bakardjiev has been working on his project Le Grand Bleu. He applies ancient craft techniques, taking them to a fine art level. He applies the Shibori technique with Indigo and ink on various types of paper, such as washi, calligraphy, recycled and even 300-year-old handmade Japanese paper. By placing many layers of semi-transparent paper he explores the possibility of creating the deepest blue colour as a symbol of endless sky and deepest ocean.

The Cube Universe is the first interactive installation that he has developed under this research. He wants to give the viewers the chance to feel that they can have the universe in their hands, and to see the problems around us from different perspectives. Having The Cube Universe literally in your hands is to understand the responsibility and importance of acting as a small individual to influence the future.
              
- Diana Wind



The Cube Universe


First interactive installation 


Presented at PAPER BIENNIAL: TRANSITION at MUSEUM RIJSWIJK, The Netherlands, 2022

The Cube Universe by Valentin Bakardjiev from Valentin Bakardjiev on Vimeo.










The Cube Universe as a Paradox:

  Seeing the world from another perspective -·is there another side of the world?
  How many sides the planet has – can you keep the problems on the other side?
  Looking at the universe from a different perspective -seeing the problems in a different way.
  Having the world in your hands, can you responsibly turn it?
  Interacting with the world –acting in harmony.
  Understanding that we have to be one with the world.
  Around the 5th century BC, the Greek philosophers realized that the shape of the Earth is a sphere.
  In 16th century, Nicolaus Copernicus formulated a model of the universe, stipulating that the Earth is not the centre of the universe.
  The planet is round and we are not the centre of the world.










art bakard