Photographing Utsurohi and the Engie & Sequoia Towers – Urban Lines and Wind Poetry
How do art and architecture converse in the heart of La Défense? Between the powerful lines of the Engie and Sequoia towers, the airy Utsurohi sculpture offers a poetic breath amid the vertical cityscape.
In the center of La Défense, two contemporary icons of Parisian architecture stand tall: the Engie Tower (formerly T1) and the Sequoia Tower. Their sleek silhouettes contrast sharply with the geometric rigor of the plaza. Rising to 185 meters, the Engie Tower was designed by Valode & Pistre, an agency known for its bold and sustainable projects.
Next to it, the Sequoia Tower—recognizable by its gently curved form—adds discreet elegance to the ensemble. In contrast to these imposing structures, the Utsurohi installation, composed of undulating metal rods, brings a lightness to the space. This poetic piece by Japanese artist Mieko Shimizu Miyawaki reacts to the wind, creating a visual dialogue with the moving sky.
See more photographs of art and architecture in La Défense
The use of long exposure photography reveals invisible flows of time: clouds stretch across the sky above the towers, while vertical lines and metallic curves respond to each other in a harmonious composition blending urbanism and visual poetry.
About the photographer: Sebastien Desnoulez is a photographer of architecture and urban art. He captures the interplay between towering skyscrapers and the lightness of contemporary artworks, like here in La Défense. Learn more.
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All the photos displayed on this website are copyright protected © Sebastien Desnoulez. No use allowed without written authorization.
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