"Irma and Nuria", Jaume Plensa

Outside the restaurant, in front of the helipad, you will find two glowing sculptures by Spanish sculptur Jaume Plensa (born 1955). They are visible from all floors and fill the patio with their charged appearance. A conversation between two women, eyes closed, as in an internal dialogue. Irma, the elderly, is from the Dominican Republic. She works as a maid in Barcelona. Nuria, the young woman, is the daughter of the family who runs Barcelona's best Chinese restaurant.

Jaume Plensa is one of the most prominent and sought-after sculptors in the world today, with major exhibitions not only throughout Europe but increasingly in the U.S. and Japan.

His works are often based on literary models: William Blake, Oscar Wilde etc. The sculptures are custom made for Copperhill, cast in fiberglass in Barcelona, sandblasted and fitted with 6 lamps in each head, that can be dimmed according to day and season. The surrounding stone is marble from southern Spain.

The Spanish words that are "tattooed" in the women's faces describe turmoil and stress - the opposite of what their serene faces are showing. The words on Irma's face says Enfermedad (Disease), Hambre (Hunger) and Insomnia (Insomnia) – all of which plagues those forced to live in a prison. Nuria says Ansiedad (Worry), Panico (Panic) and Histeria (Hysteria) – which affect many in the modern world's stressed existence.

In winter, the sculptures will shine like snow lamps, in the summer nights like lanterns – visible far out across the valley. With their light and image of intimate meetings, the sculptures can become symbols for Copperhill.