At its inauguration in the 1950’s, the 225 000 volts
line "Amneville-Montois" crossed a former heap left over from the steel
industry in Lorraine. Since the 70’s, the City of Amneville les Thermes developed first a recreational area, then a
spa and tourist centre visited annually by more than 5 million people.
In 1999, it sought an intervention by the owner of the
line to improve the aesthetic appearance as part of the global refurbishing of the site. In June 2003, an agreement was
signed between RTE and the City of Amneville les Thermes. The convention lays
down the responsibilities of both partners for the implementation of the artistic
treatment of 4 towers located on the territory. Rather than bury the line and
remove the pylons, the choice was made to highlight the high voltage line.
"SOURCE", the artwork of Elena PAROUCHEVA,
a visual artist from Bulgaria, transforms 1 255 meters line and 4 HT pylons in
a monumental sculpture.
• 18 months of study and 5 month work under
RTE's supervision and management of were necessary
to ensure that the high-voltage towers metamorphose into dream creatures
dressed in illuminated gowns.
• The supports have been painted and equipped with guy-ropes
who dress them from head to toe.
• Each tower is highlighted by monochrome light from underneath, controlled by satellite to illuminate the work at
nightfall.
•
The inspiration of the artist translates into a work reconciling the past and
present of this territory. From an industrial territory, the steel heap has
been transformed into a land of leisure.
