Corallium

“Coral body,” Corallium is a sculpture that seems to grow and spread from the surrounding water onto the concrete of the Quai de l’Île and the Halle aux Poissons, with which its organic form enters into dialogue. A threatened species reclaiming its place, the coral here is made from a multitude of hands from Le Havre residents, cast by the artist in cement and rock-like material.

Near the fishing port, visitors discover on the surface of these sculptures a plurality of identities, stories, and lives expressed through these frozen hands. Like a repertoire of touch and the languages of the hand, the work evokes the fragile balance between human activity and nature. The strange whiteness of this human coral, captured in motion, asserts its intensity against the monotonous gray of the quays.

Charlotte Huard takes part in the 2026 edition of Un Été Au Havre as part of a partnership with the Art Media Environment and Public Situations program at ésadhar. Since 2019, volunteer students have participated in a workshop with the festival’s artistic director, developing projects and research that culminate in a work presented during the season.

This participatory artwork was created using the imprints of numerous contributors. It benefited from the support of the Centre d’Expressions Musicales (Le CEM), the community space Le Hangar Zéro, the restaurant Chez Lili, the multidisciplinary venue Le Lieu pluridisciplinaire du Havre, and Université Le Havre Normandie in collecting the casts.