"Atlantis was born from my desire to push the limits of dynamism in sculpture. To create a composition where every element feels in motion, where a single glance is enough to understand the stakes, the tension, the story.
      In traditional sculpture, there is no ctrl+Z. The internal armatures are set in metal, and the composition must be right almost immediately. Finding that balance, the one that would turn this scene into what I had envisioned : a cinematic pause, a frozen instant, was one of the greatest challenges of this piece.
      I have long been drawn to Lovecraftian worlds and their sense of something vast and unknowable lurking beneath the surface. The visual language of Mike Mignola, the universe of Disney's Atlantis : The Lost Empire, and the bold compositions of vintage pulp posters were constant references throughout, shaping the identity of this world.
      My interest in steampunk found its natural place here. An opportunity to return to brass work, a craft I had not had the chance to explore for a long time, and to suggest a technology that operates beyond our comprehension. Separate goggles with integrated lenses, detailed anatomy, fabrics and folds, the organic textures of the Deep Ones.... The variety of this piece kept me constantly engaged.
      Storytelling is at the heart of everything I do. I want each sculpture to speak for itself, without explanation. I hope that the care and passion I poured into Atlantis will resonate, and that it will find its place in your world."

Valentin Zak