1698, Sleeping machines, tryptich,
_original format, whole: 300 dpi, 2400 x 1200 mm, graphism Teorg Maelbergs

In Völklingen, near the French border, the Saarland in Germany has retained an entire blast furnace and its iron and cast iron processing plant. Under the leadership of the Röchling family, the site was to expand for almost a century from 1875 onwards. Despite its enormous size, at around 17,000 workers in the early 1960s, the plant was hit by the crisis in the steel industry as well as the mining industry in Western Europe. The factory ceases its activity in 1986, put out of work thousands of workers in a few years.

_An association was formed almost immediately to preserve the factory. In the meantime, the state and the German authorities will classify the factory as a cultural heritage site. Their work was rewarded with the Vöklinger Hütte being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The tour of the plant is free or guided. The interior peregrination is perfectly organized. Needless to say, the historical and aesthetic shock is considerable because EVERYTHING has been preserved as it was in 1986. You can inquire here, there and of course here._

My indicators and I went there in 2019. Some of them knew about the Völklinger Hütte and considered that I could not complete my graphic project on Lorraine without having seen this remarkable site. None of us escaped the emotion that this gigantic 20th century industrial complex provokes. And even amazement at the conservation work that is being carried out. A rigorous program of artistic events is added to the technical visit of the site. I took two hundred photos. I show here some graphic directions that enhance my "Lorraine" project. Further development will require the advice of the management of the Völklinger Hütte.

1699, Sleeping machines, tryptich, left panel,
_original format 800 x 1200 mm, graphism T.M.

1700, Sleeping machines, tryptich, central panel,
_original format 800 x 1200 mm, graphism T.M.

1701, Sleeping machines, tryptich, right panel,
_original format 800 x 1200 mm, graphism T.M.

1691, Multitude,
_original format 900 x 675 mm, graphism T.M.

1692, Gear,
_original format 900 x 900 mm, graphism T.M.

1693, Chimney,
_original format 1200 x 900 mm, graphism T.M.

1694, Dozing machines,
_dyptich, original format (whole) 300 dpi: 1600 x 1200 mm, graphism (T.M.).

1695, Dozing machines, dyptich, left panel,
_original format 800 x 1200 mm, graphism T.M.

1696, Dozing machines,dyptich, right panel,
_original format 800 x 1200 mm, graphism T.M.

1697, Rêve de machine,
_original format 800 x 1200 mm, graphism T.M.

End of page Völklinger Hütte.