Croatian artist Tomislav Topić has gained international recognition for his breathtaking site-specific installations that transform ordinary spaces into immersive visual experiences. His artistic approach involves meticulously layering hundreds of painted mesh fabric panels, which are carefully suspended from ceilings or between outdoor structures to create undulating, wave-like formations that interact with natural light and architectural elements.
One of Topić's most ambitious recent works, titled "Echoverse," showcases the full scope of his artistic vision. This massive installation features 451 individual panels painted in 57 different colors, stretching nearly 100 feet in length and approximately 25 feet in width. The piece is currently on display through December 14 at Les 3 CHA, an art center housed in a former chapel in Châteaugiron, France, where the colorful panels flutter and move like waves through the spacious interior.
The artist's technique creates stunning visual effects as the superimposed layers interact with sunlight and each other to produce vibrant color gradients. The careful positioning of each panel allows natural light to filter through the mesh fabric, creating prismatic interactions that change throughout the day as lighting conditions shift. This dynamic quality means that viewers experience different visual effects depending on their position and the time of day.
Topić's recent body of work includes several notable installations across Europe and the United States. "Nexus Lucis" was prominently displayed above the altar of a large church in Gisors, France, earlier this year, where the sacred architecture provided a dramatic backdrop for the floating panels. More recently, his outdoor installation "Afterburn" was unveiled this fall, suspended above Intendencia Street in downtown Pensacola, Florida, bringing his distinctive style to an urban American setting.
The artist describes his creative philosophy in thoughtful terms, explaining how "geometry, hue, and light interact to create prismatic interactions." He elaborates that "every color, every layer, every viewpoint responds to another—like lines of a poem extending one another, or like sound waves traveling through the space and refracting in the air." This poetic approach to visual art reflects his deep consideration of how spaces function and how people move through them.
The viewing experience of Topić's installations is designed to evolve as observers move around the work. While the individual panels hover independently in space, they are arranged with mathematical precision to create specific visual effects. From certain vantage points, the installation may appear more solid and opaque, while from others, viewers can appreciate the faceted and translucent nature of the layered mesh panels.
Topić emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical and cultural context of his installation sites. When discussing his work in the centuries-old chapel in France, he notes that "it is important to me to create a work that introduces a deliberate contrast, yet still merges with the space." He particularly values what he calls the "symbiosis" between his contemporary art and historic architecture, stating that this relationship is "essential—especially in a place that carries more than 800 years of history."
The artist's installations demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of how light changes throughout the day and how these changes affect the emotional atmosphere of a space. By carefully considering factors such as natural lighting patterns, architectural features, and human movement through spaces, Topić creates works that exist in constant dialogue with their environment. His mesh panels respond to air currents, creating subtle movement that adds another layer of visual interest to the already complex interplay of color and light.
Visitors and art enthusiasts can view "Echoverse" at Les 3 CHA in Châteaugiron, France, until December 14. Those interested in following Topić's work can find additional information about his projects and artistic process on his official website and Instagram account, where he regularly shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of his installation process and documentation of his completed works.
