Since 2022, Dominique Blais has been orchestrating the sounds of Nantes’ church bells, creating a breath that traverses the urban space, follows the river, and maps the port city’s topography. Near the participating churches, the artist uses bridges and the castle moat to amplify the chimes, with the Loire acting as a reflector, or “mirror,” to enhance the sound’s reach.

This year, À Flot d’airain unveils a new chapter marked by a troubling randomness. Delays, distortions, and unexpected anomalies subtly disrupt the harmony of the bells, evoking natural or cosmic phenomena that unpredictably influence our environment. In his unique vision Dominique Blais illuminates the steeple of Sainte-Anne Church and the tower of the Lieu Unique, creating a new perspective on his work and the city.