Leningrad Star by Alban, 100cm high, 100cm wide, 7cm deep, French Artist, Wood, Unique, Aeroplane, illusions, Transportation, Wall sculpture, Star
Leningrad Star by the French artist Alban turns a simple wooden panel into a surreal, illusion filled tribute to aviation history. Measuring 100cm high, 100cm wide, and 7cm deep, this unique wall sculpture treats wood as if it were metal. Alban paints the surface to resemble an old, rusted aeroplane sheet. At first glance, the piece looks forged from weather beaten steel. Only closer inspection reveals the truth: the “metal” is carved wood, and the corrosion is paint, layered to mimic time, neglect, and forgotten machinery.
Alban builds tension between strength and decay. The surface seems worn, as though pulled from a crashed aircraft or a decommissioned hangar. Scratches, stains, and uneven tones create a story of use and abandonment. Yet, the wood beneath stays solid and intact. This contrast pushes viewers to question what is real, and what memory or imagination supplies. The star shape carved and painted across the panel adds a bold symbol, reminiscent of old military markings. Its sharp geometry interrupts the chaotic rust patterns, giving the sculpture focus and purpose.
Because Alban embraces illusion, the artwork becomes more than a decorative object. It plays with perception. The viewer might expect cold steel, yet encounters warm, textured wood. The sculpture encourages touch, even though it appears harsh and industrial. Through this unexpected sensory twist, Alban blends history with imagination. Leningrad Star feels like a relic pulled from the past, yet it exists only as an artistic invention. The piece asks us to rethink authenticity, material, and memory, turning weathered aviation into poetic deception.
