Éole, Sculpture in Ouchy, Lausanne, Switzerland
Éole is a steel sculpture on a breakwater at the entrance to the marina in Ouchy, Lausanne. It consists of a tall, thin mast with a wide, open circular arc curving around its upper portion, and the metal is light grey or silver.
The work was created by artist Clelia Bettua, who won a city competition in 1991 for the redesign of Place de la Navigation. It was installed on the breakwater in September 1994, with a helicopter lifting the four-ton piece into place.
The sculpture is named after Aeolus, the Greek god of wind, and its shape turns with the breeze. Four stone markers on the quay let people read the wind by matching a half-circle cutout with the arc, a game locals enjoy.
The sculpture stands on a rocky breakwater, so wear sturdy shoes if you plan to walk out for a closer look. The nearby quay offers a clear view of the arc and the water, and the area is easy to reach on foot from the waterfront.
The sculpture weighs four tons and has a diameter of 20 meters, yet it moves gently with the wind. It was placed on the breakwater by helicopter after several attempts, a delicate operation that drew a crowd.
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