To mark International Women's Day on 8 March, Brussels is unveiling a new artwork by Natacha Mercier, a French painter, photographer and video artist living in Brussels, at the Porte de Hal metro station.
The artwork, called 'Nuits Blanches' ("Sleepless Nights" in French), depicts a series of portraits of night workers captured by the camera. However, they are subtly edited with the computer, giving them a painting-like appearance. They are a tribute to the workers of Brussels Mobility and STIB working at night in the underground infrastructure, on the road and on public transport.
"It used to be simple: women at home and public space as a terrain for men. Fortunately, a lot has changed in the meantime. And it is time to make that change visible in public space," said Brussels Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt.
In recent years, Brussels has done just that, with one tunnel and three pedestrian bridges named after iconic Brussels women: Annie Cordy, Suzan Daniel, Fatima Mernissi and Loredana Marchi. 13 STIB stops were also named after women.
Increasing sense of security
"STIB and Brussels Mobility also work together to increase the sense of security and effective safety of all Brussels residents and travellers, both in public spaces and on public transport," she said. "Through training on sexual harassment, by investing in extra security staff and extra cameras, and by making metro stations safer and more attractive, including through better lighting."
On top of that, Brussels is also making the stops more accessible for prams and small children, via eight new lifts in the metro stations, and more than 300 adapted tram and bus stops. "Finally, we are also investing in cycling classes and social bike leasing, which has allowed thousands of women to learn how to ride a bike and just under 1,000 to receive a bike that way."
Now, people can also see Mercier's work, 'Nuits blanches', on the platform of metro lines 2 and 6 at Porte de Hal metro station. With the help of assistants, Mercier created digitally retouched portraits that have been printed in large format and fixed on the columns in the metro station, creating the illusion of virtual paintings.
‘Nuits Blanches’ by artist Natacha Mercier in Porte de Hal Station. Credit: STIB
"Art is more than decoration, art gives our stations a soul. Thanks to its immersion in the world of night work, Natacha Mercier's work enlarges this world so that all travellers can easily discover it," said Philippe Yenny, Brussels Mobility's Director of Public Transport Infrastructure.
For the images, Mercier visited night workplaces and accompanied the night staff of STIB and Brussels Mobility: dispatching, inspection of tunnels and bridges, maintenance of tram tunnels, road guards, metro and bus workshops, etc.
"I asked the people I photographed to adopt a 'serene' pose during an 'in-between moment' or a 'moment of escape'," Mercier said. "The portraits I took tried to capture the essence of each person and highlight distinctive features and emotions at the night workplace."
