25 February, 2026
In the heart of the Esplanade de La Défense, the large pedestrian avenue that crosses Paris’s most important financial district, stands one of the most remarkable public artworks in the French capital: the Monumental Fountain by Agam. Inaugurated in 1977 and created by the artist Yaacov Agam, an influential figure in kinetic art and a Bauhaus student, this monumental installation embodies a spectacular dialogue between color, movement, and urban space.
The large rectangular basin, stretching 86 meters in length and 26 in width, is clad in Venetian smalti.
Venetian smalti produced by the historic Orsoni furnace decorate the structure of the fountain, forming a vibrant surface composed of 86 different tones, each hand‑cut tessera celebrated for its chromatic intensity and its ability to capture light. It is precisely this precious material that generates a visual landscape in constant transformation: natural light reflects on the irregular surfaces, water multiplies the glimmers, and every movement of the viewer reveals new combinations and refractions.
The mosaic seems to breathe with the space, shift with time, and live in perfect harmony with the kinetic aesthetic of Yaacov Agam, a master of the kinetic movement and visual perception.
The 66 water jets that animate the basin make the fountain even more spectacular. Their choreographies are accompanied by a sound system distributed along the Esplanade, creating an immersive atmosphere that blends sight, sound, and rhythm. During the warm season, this space becomes a true open‑air theatre, where water, color, and music intertwine in a performance that captivates anyone passing through the district.
Airi Pung – Adobe Stock
The Monumental Fountain is not merely a decorative intervention: it is an emblematic example of how art can redefine a public space, transforming it into a shared sensory experience.
The Venetian smalti, crafted with the mastery and artisanal expertise of the historic Orsoni furnace, which has produced smalti in thousands of shades for over a century, meet the contemporary language of kinetic art. This chromatic richness, shaped by skilled hands, gives depth and life to the mosaic of the Fountain, turning it into a surface that vibrates with light and water.
In this balance between technology, creativity, and urban landscape, the Fountain stands as one of the icons of La Défense, a landmark that speaks to the value of art in public space and its power to inspire wonder.
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