Vincent Mauger explores notions of space and landscape through different media: drawing, video, and especially sculpture. Using construction materials and systems, he creates objects that play with notions of scale. This strange object is composed of long piles of wood fixed to a central matrix and reminiscent of ingenious machinery.
Its scale — equal parts majestic and frightening — reveals the sculpture’s ambiguity. The mind naturally strives to find a use for it: jutting out onto the Loire, dominating the former slipways once used to launch boats… Are we looking at a medieval war machine, an excavation machine from the former shipyards, or the skeleton of a giant animal?
The principles of construction remain visible and allow the spectator to reappropriate the object, to imagine ways to continue building it, or to modify its configuration.
Titan Cranes
The two titan cranes are remnants of the industrial era: the yellow one was put on site in 1955 to raise boat blocks and enable assembly on the slipway. The grey one was needed to unload ships from the 1960s onward, both have since been classified historical sights.
I’m interestedNantes is transforming
Nantes is changing to become an even more ecological, inclusive, and dynamic city. To do this, new public works will reinforce our already existing ecofriendly modes of transport: new tram lines, green zones for pedestrians and cyclists, and more. From 2024, these major urban projects will disrupt traffic around Les Machines de l’Île and Parc des Chantiers, with the Pont Anne-de-Bretagne bridge closed off to cars (the bridge will remain accessible to pedestrians and cyclists). Solutions will be offered throughout construction to make it easier for everyone to get around, like: increased frequency of several public transport lines, more Naolib bike-share bicycles, and more parking spots in park-and-ride lots.
For further information
Terrasse des vents, à proximité de la grue jaune 44200 Nantes
How to get there?
Parking(s) nearby: Parking Chantiers Navals
Public transport: Quai des Antilles, Gare Maritime
Self-service bicycles: Grue Jaune (n°103), Gare Maritime (n°42), Antilles (n°104), Brunelière (n°41), René Bouhier (n°76), Machine De L'île (n°43)
Explanatory video in French sign language and French subtitles available online here.
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Visual artwork.
