05/06/24
The mermaid has found her place on the Ramsalt pier!
The “Mermaid” has now taken her seat on the bench at Ramsalt brygga, created by Swiss artist Yves Scherer, who is based in New York.
The Mermaid at Ramsalt, a public artwork designed to enrich the waterfront promenade. (Photo: Christine Karijord)
– If you take a closer look at this sculpture, you’ll see that the model is Emma Watson – better known as Hermione in Harry Potter, says art curator Cecilie Malm Brundtland of Brundtland & Krosby.
On the Ramsalt pier, Morten Jakhelln from Hundholmen Byutvikling is getting ready for the unveiling. Around him, a crowd has gathered in eager anticipation to see the new statue become part of the cityscape.
– For a long time, we’ve worked to bring an artistic contribution to the Ramsalt area, hoping to enrich people’s experience of the waterfront promenade and to help create a sense of place through encounters between art and those who experience it, says Jakhelln.
He explains that a mermaid symbolizes transformation and renewal – a journey back and forth between sea and land.
– Amid these raw, coastal, and urban surroundings along the city’s waterfront, we hope that The Mermaid will become well-visited, photographed, and appreciated, both by visitors and by those who live here, Jakhelln says.
Hundholmen Byutvikling’s Morten Jakhelln and art curator Cecilie Malm Brundtland of Brundtland & Krosby, pleased with both the collaboration and the result of The Mermaid at Ramsalt. – Copenhagen has its world-famous Little Mermaid, and I’m sure this mermaid will become world-famous too, she says with a smile. (Photo: Christine Karijord)
Obsessed with Emma Watson
Malm Brundtland explains that artist Yves Scherer has been fascinated by Emma Watson for a long time.
- First of all, she’s very beautiful. He has created many images, several sculptures, and series in which Watson takes the leading role. But even more important for Yves Scherer is the fact that she has become known for speaking out about gender equality. She gained worldwide attention in 2014 when she gave her speech on women’s rights at the United Nations General Assembly, says Malm Brundtland.
She adds that the artist is also interested in the relationship between celebrities and the public — the feeling of ‘knowing an actor very well’ through the films they appear in, which often captivate large audiences.
– It’s about the interplay between dream and reality, mass communication, PR, and everything that comes with it. He has blended all of that into this sculpture — and now you have a kind of Emma Watson sitting here at Ramsalt. Copenhagen has its world-famous Little Mermaid, and I’m sure this mermaid will become world-famous too, says Malm Brundtland.
Much of artist Yves Scherer’s work explores society’s fascination with entertainment personalities and the blurred line between reality and the virtual, strongly inspired by actress Emma Watson, who also served as the model for the sculpture. (Photo: Wikipedia Commons)
The Mermaid at Ramsalt was created by Swiss artist Yves Scherer (b. 1987), who is based in New York. (Photo: Nik Dinevski)
– A True Enrichment
Musician Halvdan Sivertsen was also present at the unveiling of The Mermaid at Ramsalt, and he believes the statue is a true enrichment to the cityscape.
- This is a wonderful addition to the city’s waterfront – a beautiful sculpture, and I especially liked the butterfly, says the artist, well known for his song ‘Sommerfuggel i vinterland’ (‘Butterfly in Winterland’).
- I also found it both exciting and meaningful that the model was Emma Watson, not a doll-like face. Very surprising – it speaks of an artist with both opinions and integrity. The symbolism of sea, land, and transformation is beautiful, Sivertsen adds with a smile.
Thomas Jakhelln from Hundholmen Byutvikling also found The Mermaid at Ramsalt to be a stunning sight.
- I think it fits perfectly with the Ramsalt profile, something a bit weathered and sea-oriented, yet modern, elegant, and distinctly feminine. Beautiful contrasts, says Jakhelln.
He believes that public art plays an important role in bringing life to the city.
– It inspires people passing by, and most importantly, a work like this can make us even more proud of our city, says Jakhelln.
Musician Halvdan Sivertsen believes The Mermaid at Ramsalt is an enrichment to the city’s waterfront promenade. – And I especially liked the butterfly, smiles the artist behind the song “Butterfly in Winterland.” (Photo: Christine Karijord)
Thomas Jakhelln of Hundholmen Byutvikling believes that public art is important for creating a sense of vibrancy in the city. – It inspires people as they pass by, he says. (Photo: Christine Karijord)