A conversation about Les Braves II with renowned French artist
She is the mind behind what could be the Midwest’s most important public art installation.
In April, War Memorial Communications Manager Alex Szwarc interviewed French artist Anilore Banon, the creator of Les Braves II: At Water’s Edge.
In 2019, Banon was commissioned by The War Memorial to sculpt Les Braves II. The 50-foot-wide and 25-foot-tall art piece is the first of its kind in North America, similar to the original Les Braves in Normandy, France — located on Omaha Beach. Les Braves was created for the 60th anniversary of the D-Day invasion and sculpted by Banon.
Born in Casablanca, Morocco, Banon moved to France when she was a few months old. She describes her artwork as abstract, “monumental, large-scale sculptures,” carefully choosing where a piece is displayed, and determining what she is trying to express in a sculpture.
“I see the people that fought there and brought freedom and honor back,” Banon said when asked what she sees in Les Braves II. “I see the courage of these young people leaving their country for others.”
Les Braves II consists of three thematic elements: The Wings of Hope; Rise, Freedom; And The Wings of Fraternity.
After producing the design for the original Les Braves, she began searching for the right place for it to be located.
“I wanted to do one here and one on the other side of the Atlantic,” Banon said, speaking from France. “It had to be the proper place.”
Now with Les Braves II, she views it connected to the original, although physically they are located nearly 4,000 miles from one another.
In 2019, Charles Burke, the former president and CEO of The War Memorial, emailed Banon. It came after Burke visited Omaha Beach with his family.
“He asked if it would be possible to do a twin to Les Braves. He told me about The War Memorial, and I thought it was the right place and right people,” Banon remarked.
The factory where Les Braves II was created is at Constructions Mechanical Normandy in Cherbourg, France, located about one hour northwest of Omaha Beach.
Banon explained that some differences between Les Braves II and the original is that Les Braves is a bit larger, about three feet taller.
“I discovered a new team to work with at The War Memorial,” she said. “I had to study the environment to understand how the sculpture would stand by the lake.”
With Les Braves II, Banon hopes that folks will have questions and a proper imagination. For the younger generation, her hope is they have questions like “what is this and why did the artist do this?”
When Banon is in the U.S. in May, it will mark the first time she will be at The War Memorial. The last time she was in Detroit was about 25 years ago.
On May 25 at 6 p.m., the art sculpture will be dedicated at a public ceremony where Banon is expected to speak. The evening will also include a performance by the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets and jazz clarinet player Dave Bennett.
Learn more about Les Braves II here.
About The War Memorial
The War Memorial, located on the shores of Lake Saint Clair in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, is an experiential space open to everyone from everywhere. For more than 70 years, it has served as a patriotic, cultural, and community center. Its unique environment attracts more than 3,000 events and 250,000 visitors annually while offering premier hospitality services for community and private gatherings. Its diverse lineup of innovative programming includes live and virtual engagement experiences for adults and children. At its core, The War Memorial celebrates the ideas of American democracy while honoring those who have defended those ideas with tireless effort and personal sacrifice. Numerous patriotic and veterans’ events are held as well as history and civics offerings on the origin, traditions, and challenges facing American democracy. The War Memorial remains committed to serving the community as a unique, dynamic, and forward-thinking hub for southeast Michigan.
CONTACT:
Alex Szwarc, The War Memorial
Manager of Communications
313.881.7514, aszwarc@warmemorial.org