Letter to Cities of Beziers and Caluire (South of france : May 2003)
The subject and the theme of your project interest me and perfectly fit in with my life story. In fact, my attention is attracted by remarkable personalities for their human qualities which are themes for my sculptures.


Since my childhood I have bathed in the atmosphere of nobility and devotion which, far above being patriotic, sacrifies the individual for the benefit of the community, deeply respecting the Human being. That is the way I feel Jean Moulin whom convictions made him radiantly present between and through the clouds, the same way as the sun through centuries has been diffusing light, remaining bright forever.


My father, a professional military in 1939, having fought till short of munitions at Varenne-sur Marne, was given a military medal (war cross with palms). Liberated by the U.S Army from being a 5 years long prisoner in Germany, he joined the General Patton's forces on their way to Berlin. In 1946, he entered the St Cyr-Coëtquidan military school to become an officier. At that time he met a woman who became my mother and he renounced a brillant military career so as to look after his family. He created then a woodentoy workshop.
My mother was born in Guer-Coëtquidan from a father who had been very seriously wounded during the 1st world War. My grandfather married then his pretty nurse and got a postman job from the government. Then he created his own factory suppling the militaries of St Cyr school with trunks and suitcases, spreading later all over France.


My parents, 85 and 80 Years old (89 + 84 in 2007) are still living in Guer Coëtquidan. They are vigourous and touched by my possible involvment in your project.


I am living in St Marcel, one of the Resistance spots, and being a therapist I could be told living accounts by some true Resistance fighters about what really happened.


Of course, I have not known Jean Moulin, however I could feel nobility and dignity through a vibration he had conveyed to the true French Resistance. That vibration, being immaterial, never dies.
I would feel greatly honoured to create a sculpture, that vibration would emanate from, so that the present and coming generations may realize how much their liberty had costed.


Dignity is a real treasure available to all of us, whatever social,material or health conditions of ours. Only beings whose behaviour is noble can fit for each one of us as a model one can identify with, developing so Humane quality. That is the model I would like to sculpt.


For 25 years I could sculpt alive human body through my therapist profession. Then I began to sculpt matter so that alive expressions and emotions I could make a mental note of may be rendered immortal.


I can easily arrange my timetable to fit with orders since I work in private practice. So, I commit myself to be in time for achieving the sculpture.
Jean Paul Floch (Mai 2003)


Out of this letter : Juin 1940 : living account of my father.



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