Nothing Is Permanent is a large exhibition of sculptures in the public spaces of the city of Esch-sur-Alzette. Starting from the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, a circular route connects 23 monumental works by established and emerging international artists. Whether playful, contemplative or uncanny, they question the role of art in a rapidly changing urban and social context, while encouraging viewers to discover or rediscover the capital of the South from new angles.

The sculptor Stefan Rinck invents the remains of an imaginary world. His works cut from raw stone draw on existing motifs from various fields and periods, both archaic and contemporary. While developing his very personal form of syncretism, the artist remains faithful to traditional techniques. He practices direct carving, that is, without using a real-life model whose measurements are transposed onto the stone.
With its elongated form and frontal presentation, Rabbiator (Hellboy Gaultier) resembles a large column capital, or a guardian marking the threshold of a sacred space. While the stylised rabbit points to popular culture – comic strips, video games, cartoons… – its overall appearance falls within the tradition of ornamental church sculpture. The slightly ludicrous animal thus acquires an almost sacred aura.

Artists : Stephan Balkenhol, Guillaume Bijl, Katinka Bock, Valentin Carron, Tony Cragg, Wim Delvoye, Martine Feipel et Jean Bechameil, Tina Gillen, Hisae Ikenaga, Vera Kox, Michel Majerus, Christoph Meier, Bertrand Ney, Claudia Passeri, Roland Quetsch, Stefan Rinck, Eric Schumacher, Barthélémy Toguo, Bernar Venet, Wang Du, Wennig and Daubach, Erwin Wurm