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THE WHALE

JOEP VAN LIESHOUT

Temporary work of art

Beach of Le Havre
Project of the Pasino of Le Havre, Groupe Partouche

Discovery tour: From a garden to another

FACING THE SEA: THE WHALE

A large Corten steel sperm whale, 14 metres long, has been exhibited on the beach in Le Havre since 3 June in anticipation of the new Un Été Au Havre season.
Inspired by Herman Melville's philosophical novel, Moby-Dick, now considered a masterpiece of American literature, Atelier Van Lieshout and the writer strive to present the sea as the real theatre of human comedy: suffering, wickedness, pride, madness and tyranny are personified by the figure of Captain Ahab seeking revenge on the sperm whale which, in the past, cut off his leg.

This huge cetacean deposited on the beach of Le Havre is a manifesto that testifies to the power of nature which Jonah, the biblical character, also experienced. 

The Whale illustrates Ahab's nemesis and Jonah's prison. Made of steel, a metal created and welded by man, it rests proudly on the pebbles like a boat being refitted. The work thus presented embodies
both the human ingenuity which the Great Sperm Whale has triumphed over and unconquered nature. This is where its full ambiguity lies.

The collective

ATELIER VAN LIESHOUT
Atelier Van Lieshout is the studio founded by sculptor and visionary Joep van Lieshout. After graduating at the Rotterdam Art Academy Van Lieshout quickly rose to fame with projects that travelled [...]
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The event

ATELIER VAN LIESHOUT, LE VOYAGE
PRENDRE SES AFFAIRES ET TOUT QUITTER... Cela demande une bonne dose de courage et beaucoup d’optimisme. Partir à l’assaut de l’inconnu, en espérant un monde meilleur, un futur plus [...]
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Practical info

Temporary work of art

THE WHALE

JOEP VAN LIESHOUT

Beach of Le Havre
Project of the Pasino of Le Havre, Groupe Partouche
See the info sheet
Venue

Beach of Le Havre
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ACCESSIBILITY
  • Visitors with hearing impairment
  • Visitors with mental disabilities
  • Visitors with visual impairment
OPENING HOURS

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PRICE

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Discovery tour

Étape 19 du From a garden to another

CULTURAL MEDIATION

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How to get here
Bus 7,13, stop G. de Maupassant
ON SITE
  • Bar
  • Ticket sales
  • Store
  • Bike hire
  • Bike parking
  • Free parking
  • Paid parking
  • Information desk
  • Catering
  • Snacks
  • WC
  • Rest area
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