Creators behind Hugo statue welcomes respectful interactions
THE artist and promoters behind the Victor Hugo statue in town have said they welcome the artwork getting involved in island events – but do want Victor to be treated with respect.
The bronze statue of the author and the octopus from Toilers of the Sea on a granite bench has become iconic since it was unveiled in July 2021.
And increasingly it is treated as part of the community – Hugo can be found wearing a Santa hat at Christmas, holding a rose on Valentine’s Day, and sporting a carved pumpkin on his head at Halloween, among photo opportunities.
‘The interactions are very positive and really important as it introduces ownership,’ said sculptor, artist and part-time lecturer Mark Cook, who created the statue.
‘Victor has truly become public art, which is so much more fun than if it were a sculpture high up on a pedestal that just gets the occasional glance. The amount of selfies that must have been taken with Victor are pure gold for promoting the island, and underscore why public art is so important.
‘I don’t think any of it is disrespectful. I’m happy for it to continue.’
However, the odd fashion accessory does not always work – there was concern that a carved pumpkin head could cause damage, even though the bronze statue will not rust.
Mr Cook said he thought the idea was ‘clever’, but was concerned that chemicals from the pumpkin’s flesh could have attacked the wax surface that protects the bronze.
Guernsey Arts encourages islanders to interact with the statue but to remain respectful and be aware of what materials are placed on the statue to avoid damage.
It said that Hugo had been seen and enjoyed by tens of thousands of people.
‘This is a community artwork for everyone, and we love to see it celebrated,’ it said.
‘The concept of the interactive bench was developed to introduce public art into the public realm.
‘We feel it’s a unique asset for St Peter Port and it is great to see it be enjoyed by visitors and the local community.’
VICTOR’S STORY
Mark Cook explains:
‘Victor came about after Trevor Wakefield had seen a “man on a bench” in the UK and asked me about the possibility of doing something similar for Guernsey of Victor Hugo. Having already made the donkey and foal in the Market Square with Trevor, we knew it was hard raising money from corporate donations as individuals, as they are used to working with other organisations, so we asked Guernsey Arts to come on board. It took around three years to raise the money to get Victor in place, and it was all done with public funding, no taxpayers’ money, so right from the start it was a “community project”.’
