Riding the waters of the Seine during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, Zeus is a monumental kinetic sculpture imagined, designed, and created by Blam. A centerpiece of the "Darkness" and "Solidarity" segments, this work embodies a surge of hope and prowess, capable of stirring collective imaginations through a dialogue between precision mechanics and refined aesthetics.

‍

The result of over a year of research, development, and fabrication, the metallic horse explores the technical and visual potential of aluminum: 3D printing for the head, metalworking and hammering for the curves of the body, and precision machining for the articulated limbs. The work thus resonates with Muybridge and chronophotography: where the photographer froze the horse's gallop in a series of images to reveal its secret, Zeus brings it back to life, frame by frame, in metal and motion. Key elements of its silhouette are enhanced by the application of silver leaf, accentuating its brilliance and monumentality.

‍

The Seine itself imposed its own conditions: for Zeus to ride across it with grace, a custom-built trimaran was designed, serving as an invisible base that combines technical stability with scenographic discretion. A living figure, Zeus combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary innovation. This work questions the boundary between craftsmanship, design, and engineering, offering a perspective on movement that is both technical and poetic.