How can we accurately represent an athlete's sporting performance and reward their personal effort?

The issue is clear: the trophies awarded on the podium to the winners are impersonal. The effort put in by the athlete is therefore erased, reduced to a simple object that holds no meaning for the athlete. In an attempt to highlight the singular and personal performances of athletes, the performative medal based on breathing was born.

To create it, I established a 4-step process. First, we capture the athlete’s breath. Then, it is transformed into a sound wave (sonogram), which is then produced in 3D. Once the volumetric shape is created, it is encased in a transparent resin block, and a ribbon is added to attach it.

The breath allows closeness to the body; it is intimate. Encasing it helps to preserve that intimacy, with the organic escaping constraint. The video showcasing the medal references advertisements like those of Rolex, Mobuisson, and others. It presents sports competitions as machines that capture the body, blending both devoration and adoration.