This installation interrogates the aesthetics of exclusion in urban space. A 3D-printed base, topped with metal pigeon spikes, is placed on a patch of artificial grass—an inviting surface that evokes leisure, comfort, and public accessibility. The text “Défense de s’asseoir” (“Do not sit”) reinforces a message already made clear by the spikes, creating a deliberate redundancy.
By combining both physical and verbal deterrents, the work exposes the paradox of over-communication in public design. The artificial grass adds a layer of irony: it simulates hospitality while denying it. This contradiction invites reflection on how cities use design to regulate behavior, often targeting the most vulnerable.
The piece asks: when does public space become performative—offering the illusion of welcome while enforcing exclusion?