SKY Rocket

“Taking into consideration the significance of the former Belgian coal mining region as a locus for discussing both the geographical and imaginary aspects of industrial capitalism as a global phenomenon, Manifesta 9 will develop as a unique dialogue between art, history and social reflection”. Originally, the idea was to directly interact with the current state of ruin of the building, particularly the elevator tower which has garnered the status of an industrial monument. Its architectural heritage is of the highest artistic quality; a symbol of remembrance and commemoration; a potential touristic icon of attraction just like the Acropolis in Athens, the Rialto Bridge in Venice or the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Initially, the works’ aesthetic was based on the transcendence of the ruins into an eternal tower of “gold”, a transformation possible by means of gold paint. The rich luminosity of the precious colour was to act as a reminder of the once laborious and prosperous past. Being an historic building, this design was not possible. The idea developed into the form of billboard advertisements to be placed near the Winterberg mine.

The construction site billboard depicts a gold painted elevator tower formed by a structure comprising of scaffolding and large format printing on canvas. Integrated advertisements promote the significance of Genk’s rich coal heritage and serve to preserve the collective memory of such a heritage. SKYrocket attempts to combine art and culture with industrial sectors, both being of major significance to the formation of society.Gold has been a valuable and highly sought-after precious metal for coinage, jewelry, and other arts, etc., since long before the beginning of recorded-history. Gold has been widely used throughout the world as a vehicle for monetary exchange. European debt concerns have triggered some dismal market performance lately. But one energy sector is expected to jump by leaps, and that is coal. With the increasing demand exceeding the limited supply, coal prices will definitely soar. The price of coal will SKYrocket, and it will become the New Gold of the Future. Gold is therefore suggestive of the underlying importance attributed to this building.

An awareness of possibilities is advocated with this project. The benefits the town could reap through the rehabilitation of such a landscape-dominating building range from community purposes to the tourist industry to a cultural space. SKYrocket is meant to inspire Genk’s inhabitants to even more actively engage and continue to build further on their heritage.

NICOLA PETRONI