2.6m in plan diameter x 5.5m high
1.6 tonnes of corten steel
The sculpture is located in the green area of the farm’s inner courtyard, at the confluence of the axis of the courtyard entrance and the axis leading to the large stable door. This central position gives it visibility from the perspective of the two axes and from the buildings around it. The diameter of the semicircle in the sculpture’s plan echoes that of several cylinder-shaped trees in the garden. The sculpture’s shape, its corten steel material and its random cut-out, give it a plant vocabulary that integrates it with the rest of the ‘landscape’
The sculpture, entirely in corten steel, consists of 5 arches of increasing dimensions. The arches are connected by plates, the edges of which are randomly cut with a blowtorch. The number of flats between two arches varies in this order: 16,8,4,2,3. The first 16 plates run from the ground to the first arch, and the last three plates run from the last arch to the sky. The arches and plates form a semi-circle in plan, defining a space. An opening allows passage between the third and fourth arches.
The five arches symbolize the last five generations of the Pieters family. The arches grow like the family’s demographics. They also symbolize the accumulation of tangible and intangible heritage. The bows seem to fall to the ground, like the decline of the members of a generation as they gradually pass away. The last generation’s bow, on the other hand, is perfectly straight.
The dishes between the arches represent the flow of family members, each bearing the initials of a constituent member of the Pieters family. The random cutting of the dishes personifies the peculiarities and imperfections of man. The members starting from the ground are the oldest. The densification of the dishes with the random cutting of their edges gives a rock-like appearance that evokes the idea of death and remembrance. The limbs pointing skywards, on the other hand, imagine the fire of life. As the form is not closed, the family tends to extend. The sculpture bears witness to a “t” moment in this family.
The sculpture presents the transmission of tangible and intangible heritage, the succession of generations and the passing of the family name from generation to generation. There is an ambivalence between the growth of generations, the multiplication of genetic transmission from member to member, and the gender selection of the family name. This ambivalence raises the question of what a family is.
A “door” is materialized by the opening between the 3rd and 4th bows. This “door” represents the farm’s reception area, which includes several gîtes and chambres
guest rooms. The space contained within the semicircle of the sculpture’s plan generates a place for relaxation, conviviality and play. The overall shape of the sculpture is similar to that of a cocoon, providing a feeling of protection.
A big THANK YOU…
to Gérard Dejardin, Francis, Donovan Tognoli, Melqui Santos, Gregory Bellaire from Melens & Dejardin ;
Vincent Servais and Christophe Peigneux of Servais Engineering Architectural;
Pilou from Havart.
Thanks also to the sponsor’s family for the magnificent setting!
