LUCAS CANTÚ

The Invisible Master (When Finished, Start Again) Lucas Cantú, 2026

The Invisible Master (When Finished, Start Again) Lucas Cantú, 2026

Farola, 2025

Farola Mk1, 2025

. Sinseñalismo (Signal-lessness) A school of thought that proposes the voluntary disconnection from digital life as a conscious act of reconnection with human experience, the physical environment, and the present moment. Sinseñalismo is not mere technological avoidance; it is an active and deliberate way of inhabiting the world through the absence of signal. It rejects the overload of stimuli, hyperconnectivity, and the informational anxiety that define contemporary life, and brings direct experience to the forefront—above the need to record it, validate it, or share it. In Sinseñalismo, there is no urgency to prove you were there. When you witness a sunset, you simply contemplate it: without the mediation of a screen, without the need to capture it to prove you lived it. You simply live it. There is no evidence, but there is presence. ⸻ Walk to the Introspection Cabinet On one of the walls of the art residency @manoir_de_la_moissie , a device has been installed, designed to be activated by guests during their stay. Inside the box, you’ll find the instructions needed to begin the journey: you place your phone inside and lock it with a padlock. From there, an analog map guides you to the indicated point, leading you on a walk through the outskirts of the village of Belvès, in southwestern France. The experience evokes a treasure hunt, though the discovery is not something material — but a space for pause and reflection. Upon arriving at the Cabinet, you may stay as long as you wish. We invite participants to make the most of this moment simply by being — through drawing, writing, or other forms of personal expression. When you return, you may choose to retrieve your phone from the box. Or not. ⸻ A collaboration between: @vvcas @eltonolab

Lucas Cantú @vvcas (b. 1982, Monterrey) is a Mexico City–based artist and architect whose practice spans sculpture, installation, and experimental architecture. Some of his work explores *Sinseñalismo*—a concept he developed around life without signal—as a way of questioning the relationship between human experience and the outdoors. He is also the co-founder of Tezontle @__tezontle__ , a collaborative project with Carlos H. Matos that blends material experimentation with historical and aesthetic references, resulting in a visual language that is at once futuristic and primitive. His work has been exhibited at Museo Tamayo, Museo MARCO, Friedman Benda, and the XIII Havana Biennial, and it continues to evolve through personal research, speculative design, and reflections on utopian landscapes. It is also part of the permanent collections of SF MoMA and the Barragán Gilardi House, further underscoring its impact and relevance. Apart from being a gifted artist and architect, Lucas is also a dear friend of La Moissie, having collaborated on several projects with our creative director Xavier Eltono @eltonolab We are thrilled to welcome him from Mexico to close out our Spring 2025 season. In Residence: During his time at La Moissie, Lucas will continue exploring his concept of Sinseñalismo—life without signal—by engaging with the natural environment and the rhythms of daily life in the Périgord Noir. A sculptor and architect known for his materially driven practice, Lucas bridges installation, experimental architecture, and research. His work often gives form to utopian or dystopian scenarios through hands-on construction processes and sculptural experimentation rooted in place. At La Moissie, this approach will likely result in site-specific works or speculative structures that respond to the landscape and reflect his deep interest in the relationship between built form, nature, and human experience. Français 🇫🇷 ci-dessous… Español 🇲🇽 abajo… #lamoissiecreativeresidency #manoirdelamoissie #visualarts #sculpture #architecture #creativeresidency #artistsinresidence #residenceartistique #residenciadeartistas #belves #perigordnoir #dordogne #france

CLOCK NEVER LEARNS, 2025 A daily routine to follow.

CLOCK NEVER LEARNS, 2025 A timekeeping device that functions indefinitely, a ritualistic tool for eternal use, meant to outlive us, just as time will. On display: @mmmmmaterial @peana_ BOOTH A24

. El Juego de Infusion Lucas Cantú, 2023 El artefacto de infusión re-imagina el ritual Gong-Fu del té como un juego. Compartiendo el nombre y los principios con el arte marcial Kung-Fu, cada paso requiere enfoque, precisión y presencia. Alrededor de la base de la escultura hay ocho recipientes, cada uno albergando un tipo diferente de té. Iniciando el juego encendiendo el fuego y tirando el dado, el invitado permite que la suerte decida su té. Cada té tiene un proceso de infusión distintivo y una serie de sorpresas, relacionadas con la historia de las hojas. A lo largo del juego, pequeños momentos nos instan a desacelerar, dirigiendo nuestra atención hacia los detalles de la instalación y las sutilezas del té. El Juego de Infusión fue galardonado como el Objeto del Año en los premios de arte contemporáneo, ‘Premios Gorrita Azul’ 2024. ( @premiosgorritaazul ) Esta pieza formo parte de la exhibición colectiva “Tea Ahorita” en la galería IMA ( @_studioima_ ) Curador: Su Wu ( @imrevolting ) Productor: Bettina Kiehnle ( @bettinakg ) Anfitrión del juego: Anouk Margo ( @anouk_margo ) Participante: Beatriz Ramos ( @bearamost ) Video: JP Celis ( @jpcelis ) Grafica y títulos: Panamá Studio ( @panamastudio ) Gracias a @Peana_ , Humberto Cuapio ( @nachu.pdf ) y a todos en el taller de Lucas Cantú. - The Infusion Game, Lucas Cantú, 2023 The steeping artefact re-imagines the Gong-Fu Tea ritual as a game. Sharing the name and principles with the martial art Kung-Fu, each step requires focus, precision and awareness. Stored around the base of the sculpture there are eight canisters, each housing a different type of Tea. Commencing the game with the lighting of the fire and a roll of the dice, the guest allows luck to decide their tea. Each tea has a distinct steeping process and a series of surprises, relating to the story of the leaves. Throughout the game, fleeting moments urge us to slow down, directing our attention to the intricacies and details of the installation and the subtleties of the tea. The Infusion Game was awarded Object of the Year at the contemporary art awards, ‘Premios Gorrita Azul’ 2024. ( @premiosgorritaazul )

“Hang in there!”, 2024 - mixed media part of Casa Ideal exhibition curated by @enriqueginer

Lucas Cantú, Go Away - No One’s Coming (the ghost of Nancarrow) On-Site installation Film 2024 Thanks to: @jpcelis @panamastudio @audiomaquinas Part of “Un terco y un ermitaño entran a un bar” exhibition taking place at the House/Studio of Colon Nancarrow, designed by Juan O´Gorman in Mexico City. Open from February 6 until March 3, 2024. Curated by @peana_ @coma.artservices @beggingformerci

Go Away (the ghost of Nancarrow), 2024 Cast alloy, servomotor mechanism, presence sensor Part of “Un terco y un ermitaño entran a un bar” exhibition taking place at the House/Studio of Colon Nancarrow, designed by Juan O´Gorman in Mexico City. Open from February 6 until March 3, 2024. Curated by: @peana_ @coma.artservices @beggingformerci Thanks @audiomaquinas