La Sorcière de la Mer

Standing like a figurehead, or a possible muse of Le Havre’s Saint-François district, the Sorcière de la Mer (Witch of the Sea) can be seen atop a maneuvering vessel, against the sky. Her imperfect contours depict a veritable creature from the depths of the sea, with mysterious powers, whose skin, dress and hair are a refuge for marine flora and fauna. It also evokes a childlike figure, reflecting the joy of living by the sea and harvesting its many treasures; just like the men and women who have animated this area for centuries, pouring in and averaging their
finds as they return from the sea.
Created in bronze, Klara Kristalova’s work also serves as a weather vane. The Swedish sculptor has created a four metre-high weathervane in patinated bronze, which will turn with the wind on its shell, Sorcière de la Mer “as if escaped from a fairy tale”, installed on the bassin du Roy lock house.
“She comes from the sea or returns to it. You can also see the sculpture as a girl moving along the beach, playing and collecting shells. This motif is linked to Le Havre and seaside scenes. It reflects the joie de vivre of the lively seaside. Installed near the harbor, the sculpture is a reminder that the sea is alive, and also has less idyllic aspects. I want the sculpture to have a strong character that brings identity and poetry to the place.”
In this piece, commissioned by the Conservatoire du Havre and intended for students at the end of their first or beginning of their second cycle of string studies, I wanted to pay tribute to this beautiful figurative work, the bearer of legends yet to be invented. So, after an operatic Overture, we hear a Danse de bord, sung by sailors; then they hear a Chant des Abysses, sung by the little witch. Then they see her twirl with the winds in La Girouette and, with her, experience Les Jolis sorts.
It was out of simple pleasure that I wrote this work, and I hope that young and old alike will find in it something to daydream about, and also, in the spirit of Mona Cholet, not to be afraid of “witches”.