=
William Mapan • Art Basel, 2026
Dances on Shadows (DOS) is a generative art series created by a French artist William Mapan. For his solo show presented by Art Blocks at Art Basel 2026, Uncorporated Studio has developed an artisitc robotic system combining generative series with the live production of physical works.
Background
The collaboration between William Mapan and Sofie Mart began in 2025 with the pencil drawing studies developed in connection with artist’s Sketchbook series. These initial experiments layed the foundation for the work on Dances on Shadows and later artistic production for Art Basel.
Project Scope
Uncorporated Studio focused on translating the original generative system and the compositions created by William Mapan into a physical process with a robotic machine and developing the custom robotic system interacting with the material and surroundings.
The production method was designed around two distinct visual languages. The shadow layer was translated through greyscale-depth mapping into highly detailed, point-based drawing. This produced a precise field of marks that retained the computational structure of the generated image.
The second layer introduced a more gestural drawing process using coloured oil pastels. Instead of reproducing the digital composition literally, the machine interpreted this part of the work through abstract, brushstroke-like movements and stroke-by-stroke colour blending. The combination of these two processes was developed to reflect William’s parallel backgrounds as a programmer and painter.
Beyond the visual outcome, a series of small mechanical interactions contributed to the performative character of the installation. The automated flipping mechanism preserved the relationship between the two overlaid layers as the work developed, while the pneumatic paper-handling system introduced subtle movements throughout the process. These interactions made the production itself reflect the impression of coloured marks dancing across the shadows.
Several new technical systems were developed in this project:
- image translation through greyscale-depth mapping;
- automated paper flipping;
- media calibration and consumption measurement;
- a custom sharpening station for oil pastels and other soft drawing media;
- stroke-by-stroke oil-pastel colour blending.
Presentation
The robotic drawing system performing Dances on Shadows live was presented as part of William Mapan’s show at Art Basel Zero 10, from 16 to 21 June 2026. Ten physical works from the series were produced in advance, and presented togehter with the drawing machine running live throughout the fair.
Visitors could interact with William’s algorithm and generate new iterations of Dances on Shadows. When a work was selected and minted through Art Blocks, the corresponding physical drawing was produced by the machine on-site. The installation therefore connected the moment of digital generation and collection directly with the material production of the artwork.
The completed works measure 24 × 30 cm and are produced in ink and oil pastel on paper.
Sources
DOS by William Mapan — Project on Art Blocks
Uncovering the Plausibilities in William Mapan’s Paysages Plausibles — Art Blocks, text by Tonya Lobato
Image Credits
Studio development and process photography: Uncorporated Studio
Artwork and exhibition photography: Federico Floriani, courtesy of Art Blocks