Marine colors are the ones that most readily come to mind when we think of summer. Here, however, we do not wish to show water or overcrowded tourist beaches; instead, we want to discuss Planium's metallic textures, which emerge from the oxidation of copper and brass.

Planium specializes in metal flooring and wall coverings, offering rapid, eco-sustainable installation methods that ensure both durability and environmental responsibility. The brand utilizes a range of metallic textures?spanning from mill scale to brass, and from satin-finish steels to embossed, oxidized, or brushed varieties?to outfit all manner of public and private spaces. Many of the artistic oxidation processes developed by the brand over the past five years yield textures and finishes with a "marine" character?albeit in a broad sense. The sea certainly plays a role- undeniably so- but not through mere figurative reproduction. This is because the controlled (yet inherently spontaneous) oxidation of copper and brass steers these metals toward textures dominated by hues reminiscent of rivers and seas - and not merely in their "standard" depictions. While blues and turquoises are indeed prominent and significant, shades of green and ochre also come into play. We must remember that, while we are accustomed to seeing waterways in a single, constant shade today, art has long accustomed us to something far more varied: consider Van Gogh's Starry Night Over the Rhône, Claude Monet's Water Lilies series, or Millais's famous Pre-Raphaelite painting Ophelia. These works offer diverse, non-monolithic representations of water?and the same can be said of Planium's creations.

The Planium Thétis Collection takes its name from the sea nymph Thetis, a mythological figure linked to water and waves. This name evokes Greek mythology and refers to two female figures: the most beautiful of the Nereids?mother of Achilles and daughter of Nereus and Doris?and a Titaness, daughter of Uranus and Gaia, and sister and wife of Oceanus. We are thus immersed, more than ever, in the depths of the aquatic theme!

Planium's marine-inspired textures are part of the artistic collection known as Metal-morphosis, featuring designs that draw direct inspiration from global maps and the colors of the Mediterranean Sea. Bluish and coppery streaks blend with ochre, yellow-ochre, sage green, and earthy tones, visually evoking underwater flora, seaweed, and the depths of the seabed.

Another Planium concept linked to water is Wave 11, designed by Maurizio Galante & Tal Lancman, which interprets water through its fluid and sensory forms (fittingly, the name means "wave"). Here, the aquatic theme is not confined to a purely visual or figurative experience?as is the case with the metal panels?but instead possesses a three-dimensional quality. This lends the work a tactile and sensory dimension, creating a more tangible and realistic sense of rippling water, thereby imbuing it with truly sculptural characteristics.

Wave 11 is currently on display in Calais!