Et Purus No. 1

Unveiling from right: Sassona Norton (Sculptor of Et Purus), Professor Arne Ljungqvist, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Lord Sebastian Coe (President World Athletics), Bjorn Bertoft (Initiator of Et Purus)

Installation December 2021 - Jetée Lucciana, Monaco

Photo David Gaynes

Et Purus No.1

Et Purus No.1

(In progress - Hand at Foundry)

Photo: David Gaynes

 

Et Purus No. 1

Unveiling by H.S.H. Albert II, Prince of Monaco

Jetée Luciana, Monaco

Et Purus No. 1

Unveiling - In conversation from right: H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Sassona Norton and Bjorn Bertoft

 

Et Purus No.1 
Bronze with polychrome patina.  Gold.
10’ x 11’ 
Overlooking Monaco

2021

Photo: David Gaynes

Et Purus No.1

Installation Site: Jetée Lucciana, Monaco

Description

Et Purus No. 1:  Jetée Luciana, Monaco

Norton felt that the monument in Monaco should respond to the unique international prominence of the site, and the special standing of His Serene Highness Albert II, Prince of Monaco, who has become known as a patron of the arts and a global advocate for clean sports. 

For a worldly magnitude, Norton placed the seven-foot hand on a globe.  She limited the monument height to 10-feet to preserve the contact between the viewer and the hand. To add grandeur to the 3-foot-tall base, Norton exposed the globe only from the North Pole to the Mediterranean. Creating the impression as if it rose from underneath, she trusted that the viewer’s mind would complete the full shape of the globe.  The gold circle on the index finger was echoed at the bottom in the gold letters of three inscriptions, which told the story of Et Purus, in the hope that as viewers circle the monument to read it, they would contemplate the call for a societal change. 

The installation of Et Purus No. 1 was completed at the start of December 2021 on a site dedicated by HSH on Jetée Luciana, overlooking the Yacht Harbor, Monte Carlo and the Mediterranean. The Prince unveiled the monument on December 3, in front of IOC and World Athletics top officials, influential figures in Monaco society and European and local media. The Unveiling ceremony closed with HSH hosting dinner at the Monaco Yacht Club in honor of the sculptor.