MAC's
INFORMATION
No coal has been dug at Grand-Hornu since 1954, when mines were shut down as part of the European Steel and Coal Agreement to rationalize uneconomic pits. Now, thanks to the investments of The European Union regional development fund and the belgian public authorities attempts were made to conserve this old-industrial site, heritage of the europe’s industrial past.Grand-Hornu was a coalmining complex. Its origins go back to 1783. Pierre Cadorna and Bruno Renard designed most of it in 1825. Almost 50 years later a large slice of the complex reopened to the public as a new large scale museum ( 6000 square meters ) with a total budget of 10 million EURO. The public is now able to visit it as a museum for contemporary art. You can go for the art or for the architecture. Together with this museum their is other industrial heritage to visit in the neighborhood.
Belgian architect Pierre Hebbelinck was assigned to integrate the new infrastructure of the museum and combine the old with the past. On a subtle way he confronted the past with the contemporary by taking distance of the historical architecture, without having disrespect for it. But by using an pure architecture, simple and clear he created an harmony in which both stand beside each other. You could see it as an interpretation and mediation on history.
HOW TO VISIT
opening hoursThue - Sun: 10 - 18 h
address
Musée des Arts Contemporains (MAC's)
Rue Sainte Louise 82
7301 Hornu
contact
+32(0)65 65 21 21
www.mac-s.be
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