It “will control the passage between our world and that of hell” on the Hellfest site in Clisson (Loire-Atlantique). But before becoming the future muse of the famous extreme music festival, it is in several pieces that the Guardian of Darkness. Behind the doors of the Nantes workshop of the La Machine company, the much-awaited new creature is gradually taking shape. In linden wood, its female head and bust, but also part of its immense tail and its scorpion stinger, have just appeared, under the hands of its creators.
“He is a Cerberus with brown skin and goat horns, whose body will be adorned with esoteric signs, tattoos and jewels”, describes François Delarozière, the artistic director of La Machine. Also made of steel, especially for its skeleton and its chassis, the Guardian will move on eight legs, adopting a walk between the crab and the spider. With its luminous sting, it will spit water, flames or smoke, thanks to the twenty people who will be needed to manipulate it during the shows.
A first appearance probably in 2024
The rest of the time, the 10-meter-high sculpture will wander around the large pedestrian square that Hellfest intends to develop at the entrance to the festival, after announcing a few months ago that it wanted to make this site, already a place for walking, a true “cultural and tourist spot” frequented all year round. A brewery, a playground for children, but also several storage sheds including the den of the scorpion woman, the gate of Hell, must be built there. Already a few months late, since the delivery of this forecourt is now scheduled for the beginning of 2025.
The Guardian of Darkness, who will be able to grab objects, arch, sweat and embark thirty people on her back, should be ready to roar before. According to Ben Barbaud, the boss of Hellfest (whose next edition will take place from June 15 to 18), the creature could appear as early as the 2024 edition of the festival, or even before.
The project, estimated at 12.5 million euros, must be financed in part by the Hellfest, which relies for the rest on the communities. “It’s a sexy way to promote the city of Clisson and the whole of the south of the Loire, well beyond the festival alone, believes Ben Barbaud. It’s becoming concrete so it’s really very exciting for us. »