As the ticketing systems implemented by Brussels' public transport company STIB went increasingly digital, the orange ticket-validating machines became more and more redundant. But they have not gone to waste.
The famous orange machines which commuters and passengers used day in and day out to validate their tickets on Brussels' buses, metros and trams disappeared from the STIB network in 2016. The last 100 were handed over to Brussels tailoring company L'Ouvroir to give them a new life in an ecologically-responsible way.
It transformed them into trendy 'Sesame' key boxes, real works of art, in collaboration with designer Pierre-Emmanuel Vandeputte, REcy-K and Net Brussel, as well as renowned artists, such as Denis Meyers, and artists with disabilities.
Credit: STIB
The new and improved ticket-validating machines are now being exhibited by L'Ouvroir in the Bourse station from 16:00 until 20:00 during the 'Inclusive Art & Upcycling' exhibition, as part of as part of Disability Week. The machines will be on show until Sunday 3 December.
Over the years, many recycled materials previously used by STIB have already been transformed thanks to the same collaboration, such as card holders, key rings, beach bags, laptop bags or notebooks.
