Vaisseau, stainless steel sculpture by the sculptor Hélène Vans

“Vaisseau”, a stainless steel sculpture measuring 1.90m x 1.60m x 0.60m, installed in 2020 at the entrance to the central garden of a housing estate in Bezons. Commissioned by the company First Avenue, Paris.

As part of the scheme set up by the Ministry of Culture “one building, one work”, the company First Avenue commissioned the sculptor Hélène Vans to create a sculpture to be located at the entrance to the central garden of a housing estate in Bezons.

From a set of drawings and ellipse prints exploring the notions of anti-gravity and mobility, the artist Hélène Vans worked with a company using 3D software and providing the printing technique for the model. The production was entrusted to the Crézé company in Rennes.

The term “vessel” can refer to a boat or a ship. In the context of a bead-blasted stainless steel sculpture, it is likely that “ship” refers to a spaceship or a fictional space object.

Bead blasted stainless steel is a type of finish for stainless steel materials, which creates a rough, textured surface. This type of metal finish can add an interesting visual dimension to a sculpture and can also improve its resistance to wear. In general, stainless steel sculptures can be difficult to work with due to their hardness, but they also offer excellent corrosion and rust resistance, making them particularly suitable for outdoor use.

Further sculptures are now being prepared in this formal continuity. This initiative was supported by the mayor of the town of Bezons to ensure that contemporary art is present in the town.

Realization : Crézé

The sculptor Hélène Vans received the Nominated Prior Prize within the team made up of the private project owner, the project manager Pierre Gommier, heritage architect and the companies Crézé and Louis Geneste, for the creation of the bas-relief sculpture “The Dance of the Cosmos” in mirror polished stainless steel and Ti Rose Gold tinted stainless steel at the International Cultural Heritage Exhibition at the Carrousel du Louvre by the association “Le Geste d’Or” on 27 October 2019.