During the past years the city of Liege has been working on the project 'résidence d'artistes'. Since the beginning of 2011 in the neighborhood around square Vivegnis, in the city’s north-east, combined living- and working facilities for artists are being developed. The construction works are expected to be completed towards the end of 2012. The building project consists of three complexes with each of them providing a living space and an atelier of 100 square meters. In addition, a multi-functional exhibition space, of another 100 square meters, will be available, too. According to architect Gil Honoré, the industrial character of the buildings will be preserved through the design of the remodeling.
Alderman of culture Jean-Pierre Hupkens explains in an
interview on RTC télé Liège that one pursues to host an international constellation of artist residents. Contact with similar projects in other countries will be established with the aim of creating possibilities for exchange programs. The artists who will live and work at the residences at Liege will be selected by a special committee.
The project seems to match Liege’s managed ambition of 'métropole culturelle' in 2010 and it is expected to contribute to the overall regeneration of the quarter Saint Léonard. It could definitely serve in the
whole Euroregion as an example of renovation works that live up to present demands of real estate as well as fostering and implementing creative potential in urban environments.
Articel posted April 3rd, 2012