A school of luminous fish undulates beneath the arcades of Place Masséna. It’s neither a dream nor a marine hallucination but indeed ICHTUS, the latest kinetic and poetic installation by visual artist Daniel Mestanza, to be discovered in Nice until June 2025.
On the occasion of the United Nations Ocean Summit, which the City of Nice will host in June, the municipality aims to raise awareness of marine protection through a bold cultural program. Among the key events: the immersive installation ICHTUS, which first takes over the Masséna Arcades until June 2nd before spreading to the Quai des États-Unis and Cours Jacques Chirac from June 4th to 18th.
An aquatic ballet in the heart of the city
Composed of 80 motorized kinetic and illuminated sculptures, ICHTUS transforms the urban space into a marine phantasmagoria. Suspended or mounted on light structures, these otherworldly fish sway in a hypnotic choreography, aiming to replicate the animal’s natural movement. Each hand-crafted creature is equipped with multiple moving parts, a motor, and an integrated bulb for smooth and luminous animation.
Accompanied by a perpetual soundscape, the installation furthers the illusion. It’s the wind itself that influences the broadcasted sounds, activating them according to its passes and caresses. An inverted immersion takes place: it is no longer the visitors who dive in, but the sea that rises to them. The public is thus transported into a sensory, meditative experience, between contemplation and waking dream.
A universal symbol, poetically revisited
The title ICHTUS refers to the Greek word for fish, a Christian symbol from antiquity. However, Daniel Mestanza moves away from any strict religious interpretation to favor a symbolic and universal approach: the fish as an archetype of life, wisdom, and rebirth. He is also inspired by traditional Asian lanterns, which he reinterprets here with a gentle, moving, and luminous aesthetic.
Contemporary art in the service of life
The project is the result of over five years of design: from technical development to meticulous fish fabrication, and a modular scenography adaptable to all types of locations. In Nice, Galeries Lafayette is delighted to host this installation, which fully aligns with their commitment to the Year of the Ocean.
For Graig Monetti, deputy mayor in charge of events, youth, and equal opportunities, ICHTUS is an opportunity for genuine civic engagement: “The citizens of Nice will take ownership of this artwork. We are working on other installations, particularly concerning polar bears and climate change. The goal is to popularize the World Ocean Summit, ensuring that society embraces it.”
A global summit, a mobilized city
The United Nations Ocean Summit, scheduled in Nice this June, will gather heads of state, scientists, NGOs, and stakeholders committed to preserving the seas. In advance, the city is hosting numerous artistic and civic events to educate the general public. ICHTUS stands as a poetic and accessible gateway to this vital theme, reconciling contemporary art and ecological urgency.