there are 5 prominent sculptures made of the local stone, Larvikite on display in Fredriksvern Verft. perhaps the most popular one is called Ecoute la Montagne (Listen to the mountain) created by Makoto Fujiwara. since it has been placed by the sea perhaps a better name would have been Ecoute la Mer but i guess it was named before it was decided that it would end up here. anyway the polished round hole in the block of stone immediately arouses curiosity of what is visible when viewing through it. it really has the feel of a giant looking glass with the framed view changing dramatically depending on where one stands.
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the sculpture 'facing' the sea is mounted on a plateau that was created during world war 2 for antiaircraft artillery so it is an ideal location overlooking the surroundings. (i say facing yet the polished side is actually facing in toward land while the unpolished backside is what is facing the sea). typically the most popular sight to focus in on is the Stavernsodden Lighthouse on the island about 1 km offshore. but today was so wonderfully foggy that not only the lighthouse but the entire island was completely invisible. the fog inspired me to focus in on less obvious scenes in the landscape to catch the contrast between the dark solid massive stone and the damp muted seascapes.
Bratten is a popular spot in the summer with 5 and 8 meter diving platforms but in the October fog the nearby wildflowers gone to seed add contrast.
of course it is possible to go around to the seaward side and view back toward Fredriksvern Verft which is also subdued in the fog. behind the modern shed in the foreground is a low also modern maintenance building and behind that is one of the original barracks from the 1700s.
Ecoute la Montagne
Makoto Fujiwara