Top 3 of the most unusual sculptures in Monaco
This is the third part of our series dedicated to the sculptures of Monaco.
Among the many works of art exhibited in the Principality, certain statues capture our attention due to their originality. After the sculptures dedicated to Monegasque Sovereigns, the editorial staff has selected three unusual works from Monaco.
“The Mantle of Consciousness”, by Anna Chromý
We start with one of the most famous: the “Coat of Consciousness”. This statue located on the Rock is rather impressive, even slightly worrying. On the way leading to the Oceanographic Museum, passers-by cross the path of a large seated figure, hidden under a large white coat. Like a ghost, it actually represents a faceless virgin in white marble.
This recent sculpture (2014) is a gift from the German International Club of Monaco to Prince Albert II. It was made by the Czech artist, Anna Chromý, who died last September. The purpose of this “Coat of Consciousness” is to encourage us to reflect on ourselves and our actions.
The artist draws his inspiration from Albert Einstein. ” The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science “, she explains during a speech at the time of the inauguration.
Through this Coat, Anna Chromý stated on her website that ” look for beauty “is a thing which” is not always evident in art these days (…) Beauty is for me the physical image of harmony, the harmony between man, nature and all creation.. »
READ ALSO: Anna Chromý, artist, eternal perfectionist and generous of heart
The “Motophant”, half-motorcycle, half-elephant
If art lets the imagination speak, it is also a great way to express your opinion. This is the case of Armand Fernandez, or simply Arman, a Franco-American artist born in Nice in 1928, creator of the “Motophant”. On this sculpture, an elephant is represented with the body of a motorcycle, the back covered with scrap metal, and the legs attached to wheels. This sculpture, made in 1988, is in the park of Fontvieille.
With this work of art, Arman would have liked to point out human actions and their consequences for the planet. Here, the artist has staged the impact of modern technology (the motorbike) on nature (the elephant), which is subsequently threatened. This explained the rusty scrap of the motorbike on the endangered elephant.
READ ALSO: Top 3 recent sculptures in Monaco
“The Seated Couple”
Still towards Fontvieille Park, you will probably find a sculpture with a rather strange silhouette called “The Sitting Couple”, created by Lynn Russell Chadwick. As its name suggests, it is a couple seated on a bench. The most curious thing about this sculpture is the strange shape of the characters’ bodies.
The man and the woman are seated, facing the road where the cars are. A staging that suggests a couple deep in thought.
Moreover, it is not the only sculpture of its kind: Lynn Russell Chadwick was rightly known for his “seated couples”, which are now exhibited throughout the world.