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“HEROS SQUARE”: THE FRESCO AND THE ODE TO THE
CHARLEROI FIRE BRIGADE STIX71 AND PIERRE BARTHOLOMÉE
Ghislain André and Denis Mélotte / Pierre Bartholomée, composer, member of the Royal Academy of Belgium
Right from the initial draft entered for the competition, an additional Although his work is usually associated with hyperrealism, the artist
feature was included in the fire station: a special place where the has in this case come up with an abstract scene based on a photo
fireman could get together to celebrate happy events, or sometimes showing a group of firemen in action.The work is a kaleidoscope of
to doff their hats in the aftermath of a tragedy. vivid colours: Going from the inside of the building outwards, the
colours change from red (the bustle of departure) to blue (the calm
In the emergency vehicle garage, the south-west corner of the concentration of emergency crews at work) to green (the greenery
central core has been kept free on purpose, providing a space offer- surrounding the fire station), upon which the bright red fire engines
ing peace and quiet, away from the vehicles and with natural light stand out.
coming from the atrium.
The fresco was painted on 24-27 October 2016 by the “No Heroes”
Called “Heroes’ Square”, this intimate space, while part of the fire- team (STIX71 and MACHO).
men’s everyday life, is given its own character by a large multi-col- See the video: www.samynandpartners.com
oured fresco on its north wall, greatly contrasting with the neutral
atmosphere of the garage. 1 – Contacted via Maxime Longrée, director of Charleroi’s “Alphonse
Darville” Académie des Beaux-Arts, “Stix71” is a self-taught graffiti artist
The artist “Stix71” 1 has created a huge urban graffiti covering the with more than 20 years of experience. His work could be seen as part of
whole back wall of “Heroes’ Square”, from the outside wall to the Asphalte Charleroi, the city’s biennial street art festival. He has also taken
atrium, a length of 33 m. part in several festivals dedicated to graffiti in Belgium and Europe,
all of which help him evolve his art. For more information, see:
http://www.kulturopoint.be/kulturonews/culture/97-street-art
A Stix71 work. Another Stix71 work.
2016_11_05
ODE TO THE CHARLEROI FIRE BRIGADE
Philippe Samyn’s major projects often go beyond the limits of archi-
tecture. Back in 2001, I wrote my first oratorio for him, the “Ludus
sapientiae” celebrating his Grande Aula in Louvain-la-Neuve. On
finishing the design of the new fire station, he suggested that I com-
pose a new Ode to the Charleroi fire brigade. A totally unexpected
challenge! Once that first moment of surprise had passed, I agreed.
What form would the Ode take? I had no idea. But I decided to
dedicate all my time and effort to it.The fire brigade, those everyday
heroes, those devoted rescuers – an example of humanity that had
always impressed me! I wanted to offer them a composition worthy
of their courage and devotion, music uniting them in those moments
of emotion, music simply celebrating their great work.
Pierre Bartholomée, 2016_11
