Technology at the service of artistic emotion
The fresco, painted on the chimney's three large facades, combines dynamic shapes and vivid palettes evoking the sun, nature, the hillsides of Cenon, the Rocher de Palmer and the neighborhood's cultural diversity. This artistic approach is fully in line with the strategy to enhance the urban image pursued by Valbom, the site manager, and reflects the city's commitment to a visible ecology integrated into its industrial heritage.
A nocturnal work of art thanks to LuminoKrom® technology
A special feature of this unusual project is that part of the chimney is covered with our LuminoKrom® photoluminescent paint, allowing the work to express itself even at night. As soon as night falls, the shapes and colors seem to come alive, as if invaded by luminous vegetation. This double visual effect underlines the idea of the site's metamorphosis, while adding a poetic and symbolic touch to the building. Thanks to our innovative technology, the painted surfaces absorb natural light during the day and restore it at night, without electricity or maintenance, in perfect keeping with the site's environmental vocation.
An exceptional technical and human project
Creating a fresco at a height of over 50 metres is a challenge that few artistic projects are able to meet. Three rope access technicians, two of them women, carried out the work on ropes, combining technical rigor with artistic virtuosity. The project took several months to complete, starting in September 2024 and finishing in spring 2025. Artist Anaël Barrière immortalized every stage. Beyond the fresco itself, the project extends into the heart of the Marègue neighborhood. Creative workshops led by Les Cranneuses were organized at the Jules Michelet school and in the "Le Jardin Rêvé" shared garden, in partnership with the Germaine Veille association. This local artistic dynamic reinforces the project's anchorage in its environment and raises awareness of urban art and ecological issues among the younger generation. The Cenon UVE, operated by Valbom (Veolia Group), is a key link in Bordeaux Métropole's waste recovery system. It generates electricity and supplies the urban heating network from the combustion of household waste. Thanks to this fresco, the UVE chimney becomes a veritable graphic totem, symbolizing sustainability, transformation and the harmonious cohabitation of industry, art and the environment.
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