Speeches
Blaise Zuchuat | Zenith Automobiles
Dauphine Latécoère | Latécoère Foundation
Robert Topulos | Atelier WOCS
Photos
Collection
Dunes | Latécoère 300
"Dunes" is a distinguished piece within the Édénité collection by Atelier WOCS, which captures with grace and tranquility an emblematic instant in the annals of flight. In this artful portrayal, the venerable Latécoère 300 "Croix du Sud" is immortalized mid-flight, traversing the soft contours of Dakar's dunes beneath the enveloping embrace of twilight. A delicately rendered moon casts a tranquil luminescence, heralding the plane's passage from Dakar to Natal.
The artwork deftly encapsulates the desert's immensity, evoking the Latécoère 300's pioneering essence and its instrumental role in pioneering essential air routes in the 1930s. Set against a canvas of dusk and the glimmering threshold where sea and cosmos converge, the scene honors both the desert's untamed spirit and the boundless realms of human exploration.
Imbued with a sense of peaceful reflection, akin to the desert's own nocturnal repose, the artwork's palette and illumination accentuate the aircraft's silhouette against the nocturnal azure, beckoning viewers to ponder the voyage and the remarkable innovation that enabled it.
With only 30 editions available, "Dunes" emerges as a lyrical accolade to the Latécoère 300 "Croix du Sud" and the epoch of discovery it represents. It is a celebration of the aircraft's regal journey over the undulating dunes, immortalizing a tranquil yet grand moment in the history of transatlantic aviation. As a coveted addition to the Atelier WOCS collection, this piece stands as a profound homage to the extraordinary achievements of aviation and the desert's enduring splendor.
Overseas | Latécoère 521
Reflecting on a momentous summer in 1935, the "Overseas" artwork by Atelier WOCS is a tribute to an extraordinary encounter on the high seas, captured in an artwork where the grandeur of engineering meets the artistry of design. The Latécoère 521 seaplane, "Lieutenant de Vaisseau Paris," is immortalized mid-flight, parallel to the elegant Normandie, each a paragon of French sophistication and ingenuity.
This piece, steeped in historical resonance, was inspired by a photograph taken from the Latécoère itself, a snapshot that captured the essence of progress and luxury. The Latécoère 521, with its robust wingspan and pioneering spirit, shares the ocean expanse with the Normandie, a leviathan of the seas, distinguished by its record-breaking speed and opulent interiors.
The art captures the synergy between these two giants of their respective realms, the air and the sea, as they journey from New York to Paris. The artwork's composition, with the seaplane above and the liner below, accentuates the duality of their paths—yet they are united by their shared heritage and the restless waves they traverse.
"Overseas" is a visual chronicle of this unique moment in history, where the ambition of human endeavor is vividly portrayed. The seaplane's silhouette against the vast sky and the liner cutting through the tumultuous ocean waves create a compelling narrative of movement, aspiration, and the ceaseless pursuit of advancement.
In a limited series of 30 editions, this piece is not only a homage to the technological marvels of the Latécoère 521 and the Normandie but also a reflection of the era they represent—a time when the quest for progress knew no bounds, and the world became a smaller place. It is a proud celebration of the heritage of Latécoère and the enduring allure of transatlantic travel, encapsulating a remarkable synthesis of history, adventure, and the art of the journey.
Eden | Latécoère 631
"Eden" a distinguished piece within the Édénité collection by Atelier WOCS, weaves a narrative that spans continents and celebrates the pioneering spirit of aviation. This artwork is a continuation of a story that began with a previous Atelier WOCS masterpiece ''Genève, Quai du Mont Blanc'' showcasing the Latécoère 631 during a momentous stop in Geneva. "Eden" captures the next chapter, as the aircraft embarks on its voyage to the Antilles, gracefully adorning the nocturnal skies above Martinique.
The artwork presents the Latécoère 631, not simply as a machine, but as a symbol of human aspiration, its silhouette set against the Caribbean night, casting a soft glow over the island's verdant terrain. This scene is a delicate balance between the achievements of man and the splendor of the natural world, reflecting the essence of exploration and the seamless melding of progress with the peaceful Caribbean landscape.
"Eden" pays homage to the trailblazing role of the Latécoère 631 in establishing air routes that connected distant lands, embodying the pinnacle of aeronautical engineering in the 1940s. The artwork captures the essence of the aircraft's journey—a tranquil yet profound trek across the starlit sky, paving the way for future advancements in international aviation.
The visual narrative of "Eden" evokes the Latécoère 631's passage through time and space, highlighting the harmonious interplay between human ingenuity, the romance of exploration, and the grandeur of the environment.
As one of only 30 exclusive editions, "Eden" is a testament to the artistry of Atelier WOCS and the legacy of Latécoère. Each detail of this work, rich in history and beauty, tells a tale of daring, creativity, and the unity of mankind's dreams with the majestic backdrop of the night. This collectible work is an invaluable addition to the Atelier WOCS collection, offering a vibrant tribute to the historic and inspiring voyage of the Latécoère 631 and the enchanting allure of the Martinique shores it so gracefully surveyed.