3D Printed Concrete Sculptures for the Digital Memories Exhibition in Paris

Ancient Forms Through Robotic Fabrication

As part of the exhibition Digital Memories – Transformations in Paris, Vertico collaborated with artist Theodoulos Gregoriou to produce a series of large-scale concrete sculptures using robotic 3D printing.

Presented as part of the cultural program of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union (CY 2026 EU), the exhibition explores the relationship between memory, history, and digital technology. Installed in front of Notre Dame de l'Assomption in the Faubourg Saint-Honoré district, the sculptures create a dialogue between contemporary fabrication methods and the architectural and cultural layers of the city.

The works reinterpret fragments of ancient Greek sculpture through digital processes. Familiar faces and classical forms are transformed into a new visual language where historical references meet computational design and robotic manufacturing.

From Digital Model to Concrete Sculpture

At Vertico, we supported the project as sponsors and fabricated the sculptures using robotic 3D concrete printing.

Unlike most of our projects, which focus on architecture, infrastructure, or product design, this project required us to reproduce subtle facial features, smooth transitions, and organic geometries. Watching the forms emerge layer by layer was a unique experience. As the print progressed, recognizable faces gradually appeared from the stacked concrete layers, creating an intriguing contrast between classical imagery and contemporary fabrication.

The visible print layers became an integral part of the final aesthetic. Rather than hiding the manufacturing process, the sculptures celebrate it. The resulting texture places the works somewhere between archaeological artifacts and digital objects, reinforcing the exhibition's exploration of time, memory, and transformation.

Layers of Time

Gregoriou describes his work as an investigation into the "layers of time" that connect past and present through form, material, and collective memory. Robotic fabrication adds another layer to this conversation, introducing contemporary technologies into a narrative rooted in classical history.

Concrete, a material most often associated with construction, becomes a medium for reflection and storytelling. Through digital fabrication, familiar historical forms are reinterpreted and placed within a new material and cultural context.

Project Information

Artist: Theodoulos Gregoriou
Location: Notre Dame de l'Assomption, Paris, France
Exhibition: Cultural Program of CY 2026 EU (Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union)
Role of Vertico: Project Sponsor & Robotic Fabrication Partner
Technology: Robotic 3D Concrete Printing
Material: Concrete

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