Côtes-d’Armor. What is this funny sculpture that surprises you on the side of the RN12, between Rennes and Brest?

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It is a sculpture that turns the heads of thousands of motorists every day on the RN12, between Guingamp and Saint-Brieuc, in Côtes-d'Armor.

With its zipper or fly shape, depending on your imagination, it is bound to appeal. Some see a fish spitting water, others imagine a fountain that opens to let its water flow.

Installed on the grounds of the Le Du company (specializing in industrial activities and energy networks), in Châtelaudren-Plouagat, this unusual work of art is the work of the sculptor Kito, whose workshop is located in Plouézec, between Paimpol and Plouha.

A sculpture called Zip-Eau

We contacted the latter, so that he could shed some light on this very notable creation: “This sculpture is called Zip-Eau,” he explains.

A reference to the famous Zippo lighter, but also to the zipper (Zip), and to the water that springs from it. “It’s also a nod to the Le Du company, which works on the water and electricity networks,” adds the artist Kito.

With this work, “I opened the stone with a zipper, to make water flow out of it,” sums up the artist poetically. Nothing to do, therefore, with the la fly interchange, located a little further on the RN12, at Plélo.

Zip-Eau, “made of Saint-Connan granite”, was installed in 2001, according to Kito’s memories.

“It’s a work that stands out. Alain Le Du, the boss of the company, has often told me that it has brought him quite a few customers, because it attracts a lot of curious people,” rejoices Kito.

Soon a second sculpture, on the other side of the RN12

A second work, which will be installed on the other side of the RN12, should soon see the light of day: “The Le Du company has expanded, with new buildings on the other side of the dual carriageway. While excavating the land, they discovered a 33-ton stone, from which I could carve this new work. This new sculpture will be on the theme of electricity, to complement the current one, which evokes water.

We don't yet know when this new statue will see the light of day, because Kito's order book is already full: “I'm overwhelmed at the moment. I have just finished a very large sculpture for Le Château des Pères, from the Legendre family, located in Piré-Chancé, 25 minutes from Rennes, and I am in the process of creating the base of a sculpture which will be installed in the room Plouézec festivals. I also have to make statues for the Valley of the Saints! »

In short, Kito has no shortage of work! “I have never had as much work as since I retired. So I did well to take it between my 20s and my 40s,” jokes the artist in conclusion.

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