Vårbergs Jättar
The bearded giant in the photo is Pelousens Jätte, a light-blue figure lying with his right leg bent and his left leg stretched, while holding a square-shaped object in his hands. This remarkable public artwork is made in a "Low Poly Art" style, characterized by its geometric and faceted appearance. The statues were erected four years ago by the brilliant artistic minds Xavier Veilhan and his collaborator Alexis Bertrand.
Vårbergs Jättar, which translates to “the giants of Vårberg”, is a pair of statues located in the Stockholm suburb of Vårbergs. The installation consists of two monumental sculptures: Pelousen Jätte and Strakparten Jätte.
The unique project was commissioned by Stockholm konst as part of the urban development initiative "Fokus Skärholmen," with the aim of creating a meaningful and engaging landmark that would foster community interaction and enhance the area's identity.
Destination for Relaxation
The concept behind Varbergs Jättar draws on the idea of creating a space that invites people to interact, play, picnic and relax. Veilhan and Bertrand's vision was to provide a communal area where locals and visitors could enjoy the artwork in a casual and engaging way.
Challenging Delivery with an Emphasis of Beauty
Construction of such impressive works featured our partner BB Beton und Bauwaren, who meticulously crafted 89 individual concrete elements with a total weight of nearly 200 tons. These components were made from Rohoznik White cement dyed with cobalt-blue pigments to achieve the distinctive colour. The use of shot-blasted surfaces further adds to the aesthetic appeal of the sculptures. The project is noted for its technical complexity, requiring a combination of conventional wooden formwork, 3D-printed BioPLA parts and CNC-milled polystyrene elements.
BB Beton und Bauwaren's role extended beyond the production of the concrete elements; they were also involved in coordinating the manufacturing process and delivery. The actual installation was carried out by Herrljunga Terrazzo, while Nivå Landskapsarkitektur and Y2 Anläggning provided landscape architecture services.
The project is a blend of innovative art and technical expertise, with Danucem's white cement central to achieving the desired aesthetic and structural properties. These images of the sculptures capture a moment where artist Xavier Veilhan is seen interacting with the artwork, specifically moving the leg of one of the giant figures, illustrating the dynamic and interactive nature of the installation by showing how the artist engaged with the sculptures during the creation process.
