In its final instalment, after crossing the Kirchberg and part of the upper town, the tram arrives in the city centre, before reaching the train station district. The journey continues through contemporary arts landmarks and the renewal of some of the buildings along the tram route. Michel Reis’ piano accompanies travellers on the way.
“La Grande Tempérance” by Niki de Saint Phalle
The Luxembourg "Nana" needs no introduction. Acquired by the City of Luxembourg in 1995 on the occasion of the European Year of Culture, this resin sculpture, created in 1992, is part of the "Nana" series of colourful, generously shaped female figures.
“La Grande Tempérance”, which is 6m high and weighs 600kg, stikes a dancing pose on its base. Confident and graceful, she represents female liberation, confronting patriarchy. Feminism is a characteristic theme in artist Niki de Saint Phalle's work.
Niki de Saint Phalle's "La Grande Tempérance" faces the Villa Vauban. (Photo: Guy Wolff/Maison Moderne)
It was placed on the Hamilius square from 1995 to 2011, and was sheltered during the construction of the Villa Vauban, before undergoing restoration in Germany. Installed at Um Piquet in 2019, it is now in front of the Villa Vauban that tram passengers can admire it as they pass on Avenue Emile Reuter.
Arsenal, a new office building
The tram route runs alongside a number of sculptures, infrastructures and building sites, often hidden from view so as not to disturb the public space.
It is no longer rare to see, throughout the city, buildings being demolished only to be completely redesigned. This is the choice that Société Générale has made for its headquarters on Avenue Emile Reuter, which will measure 9,700m2 and will welcome 700 employees from 2023. Construction began in May 2021.
In 2023, the Arsenal building will house the 700 employees of Société Générale Luxembourg. (Photo: Guy Wolff/Maison Moderne)
With the construction of this new site and that of the Icône building, located in Belval, Société Générale Luxembourg will have two addresses that will enable it to bring together all its employees in the Grand Duchy.
"234.5 Arc x5" by Bernar Venet
The tram now leaves the Place de Metz station, located on the Avenue de la Liberté. On this one-kilometre long axis is the former headquarters of the Aciéries réunies de Burbach-Eich-Dudelange (Arbed), in front of which a work by the French artist Bernar Venet has been installed.
The sculpture is entitled "234.5 Arc x5”--as the inscription on the work shows. The degree indicated, "234.5", corresponds to its measurement, while the indication "x5" refers to the number of arcs used.
This work, from the series "Les Lignes indéterminées", is made of Corten steel and fits well in front of the former headquarters of Arbed.
"234.5 Arc x5" by Bernar Venet. (Photo: Guy Wolff/Maison Moderne)
During his career, Venet has created several works and installations in Belgium. Four arches, similar to the one in Luxembourg, were on display in Liège until the summer of 2021. Located on the pier of the Boverie park, they were washed away by the Meuse following the floods. According to Belgian newspapers, the four arches have been found, but only two have been recovered to date.
In 2019, the artist created the "Major Arch", an installation at kilometre 99 of the A4/E411, between Brussels and Luxembourg, considered to be “a work without equivalent on international level”, according to the website dedicated to it, because of its size (60m) and the amount of labour and materials it required.
Beyond the Greater Region, other works by the artist are also exhibited in public spaces in the United States, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan.
Fountain commemorating the 30 e anniversary of the Treaties of Rome
Located at the junction of Avenue de la Gare and Avenue de la Liberté, this curious fountain celebrates the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome. It was inaugurated on 10 April 1987 on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the creation of the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC) in Luxembourg.
The fountain commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome. (Photo: Guy Wolff/Maison Moderne)
Made of glass walls, it has eight water jets and is 4m high.
Our tram ride through Luxembourg ends in front of the central station, where a crowd of commuters, workers and shoppers can be seen at all hours of the day.
With new buildings, art, and architecture, the city of Luxembourg, in perpetual renewal, has revealed some of its secrets to us along the tram route, arousing the interest of everyone. A way of inviting young and old to reflect.
This story was first published in French on . It has been translated and edited for Delano.