The Naperville Park Board has approved a seasonal public art installation that will place six oversized, illuminated lotus flowers on the surface of the Paddleboat Quarry this fall. The display, titled “Lotus”, will be on view Sept. 26 through Oct. 24, after the park district has removed rental paddleboats for the season, Naperville ArtForum Treasurer Erin Franczyk said.
International work arrives in Naperville
“Lotus” was created by French artist Nicolas Paolozzi, founder of the studio MODULE in 2017. According to the studio and the exhibit curator, the piece has been shown in several European countries and Naperville will be the first U.S. city to host the work, Franczyk said. Canadian company Wireframe is curating the display.
MODULE describes the installation as a meditation on the natural world and resilience: “Oversized petals, translucent and softly radiant, float from delicate aluminum frames, forming an immersive landscape,” the studio wrote. The description added that light filters gently through each flower, creating an atmosphere intended to foster calm and quiet wonder.
Scale, placement and public experience
Franczyk said each flower measures roughly 13 feet wide and 11 feet high. The size is meant to alter perspective for visitors walking near the quarry, she said, adding the intent is for people to slow down and reflect.
“People who are visiting (will) feel like they’ve shrunk to the size of an insect (when) they’re walking … around these lotus flowers,” Franczyk said. “Lotus flowers have symbolism that expresses renewal and rebirth, and so the installation invites people to kind of slow down and reflect.”
ArtForum officials emphasized the timing of the installation to coincide with the end of the paddleboat season so the sculptures can occupy the water surface without interfering with rentals.
- Artist: Nicolas Paolozzi (MODULE)
- Curator: Wireframe (Canadian company)
- Location: Paddleboat Quarry, Naperville Riverwalk
- Display dates: Sept. 26 through Oct. 24
- Dimensions: ~13 feet wide, ~11 feet high per flower
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Number of sculptures | 6 illuminated lotus flowers |
| First U.S. showing? | Yes—Naperville is slated to be the first U.S. host |
| Public access | Viewable from the Naperville Riverwalk once paddleboats are off the water |
Local cultural context and implications
Naperville’s selection as the first U.S. stop for “Lotus” signals continued interest from local institutions in bringing internationally recognized public art to community spaces. ArtForum leaders framed the installation as part of a broader effort to “invest in cultural experiences” and to demonstrate that “you can have great public art anywhere,” Franczyk said.
For residents, the exhibit will add an evening and seasonal attraction to the Riverwalk, an area already known for its public art, festivals and recreational amenities. The display’s timing in late September and October coincides with cooler weather and changing foliage, potentially enhancing the contemplative mood the piece intends to create.
Operational details beyond dates and size—such as hours of illumination, associated events or any planned interpretive programming—were not detailed in the Park Board’s meeting summary. ArtForum and the Naperville Park District will likely provide further information about viewing times, safety measures on the Riverwalk and any complementary activities as the installation’s opening approaches.
As Naperville prepares to host “Lotus,” the project offers residents a rare opportunity to see an international public art installation within walking distance of downtown. The exhibit underscores the role of local arts organizations in bringing curated cultural experiences to public spaces and demonstrates ongoing collaboration between nonprofit groups and city authorities to expand the community’s cultural calendar.
