Light monuments Ebbingekwartier

About this artwork.

This interactive light project was set up to make the industrial past of the Ebbingekwartier visible. The work on the chimney pipe consists of 72 LED lights mounted on the drawstrings around the pipe. The original design is by Sjanet Bijker. 

Later, the Water Tower (9 LED lamps) and the chimney of the former Chemical Laboratory (now Het Paleis) with 4 LED lamps were added. The three objects are radio-connected to each other. Every day now has its own, fixed color. This light programming makes the monuments even more part of everyday life in the neighbourhood. Special programming has been made for national holidays and events. From King's Day to May 4, from Pink Saturday to Christmas. During the New Year there is a half hour of light fireworks on the monuments from 12 midnight.

History
Around 1900 the area around the Boterdiep was one of the most important economic development zones in the city of Groningen. The two 'Light factories' supplied the city with city gas and electricity. The university built new laboratories and a teaching hospital there. Fongers, Gerzon, Niemeijer and Hooghoudt, among others, founded new companies here in the field of mobility, food and stimulants. The factory pipe belongs to the Gerzon Meat Canning Factory. Today, the Ebbingekwartier is a city district with residents and creative and innovative entrepreneurs.

Furniture maker OpMaat3D bought it from Gerzon and got the pipe 'for nothing'. Bart Kempinga of OpMaat3D was the driving force behind the refurbishment and ensured that the pipe was given the status of a municipal monument.

About the assignment.

It started in 2010 with the restoration of the factory pipe of the former Gerzon Meat Canning Factory. The restoration was completed in 2012 and it was fitted with the light object by Sjanet Bijker in collaboration with the Lichtpunt company.

Facts & Figures.

• Design
  Sjanet Bijker

• District
  Centrum

• Year of creation
  2012

• Art type
  Art in / on a building, Light artwork, New media

• Material
  Steel, LED-lighting, Computer control