“The XinPingXi mine closed in 1997 and was converted into a museumhe explains. PingXi is a very touristy town with its daily lantern festival. Visitors can go there and write a wish on a lantern before letting it fly into the sky. Nearly seven million visitors are recorded there each year.
A comic strip artist, he also does engraving and draws in the style of Asian prints. Last February, Dimitri Piot was invited by the mine director to discover the place. A few months later, this same director received the support of the population and public opinion for the mining sites to be “officially preserved” by the city. This shows the importance of the place.
Every year, reunions are held between the miners. In 2024, it was the 22nd edition.
It is in this context that the works of Orp-Jauchois were unveiled.
“Given their age, the miners are unfortunately fewer and fewer each year. But, despite the typhoon Kong-rey which recently hit Taiwan, the director of the museum David Gong held firm to prepare this anniversary on time .”
Beyond the recognition of the authorities, the artist adds that this work was already an important step in his journey. “Because in this series, I evoke my graphic dialogue with the artist Yamamoto Sakubei (1892-1984). The XinPingXi mine has an entire room dedicated to this former Japanese miner. Part of his work is now classified as heritage cultural heritage of UNESCO.”
Three texts
To accompany the educational panels, Dimitri Piot was asked to write three texts. “I was asked to talk about my visit to Xinpingxi, my relationship to the work of Yamamoto Sakubei and my relationship with the Bois du Cazier museums.”
Because the comic book author has already immersed himself in the old mining site of Marcinelle.
Concerning the Taiwanese museum, he writes in particular that he was “very impressed by the marriage between nature and industrial place, which live in a beautiful balance. It seems almost contradictory to me to see all this biodiversity which evolves so naturally on a former industrial site. It is something less present in museums of the mine that I visited in Europe. The industrial aspect is still very marked here.
Mining sites to promote sustainability and environmental stewardship?
Guest 1: Could you tell us about your experience as the artist at the XinPingXi mine site and how it compares to your previous visits to other mining museums?
Guest 2: As a guest, what impressions did you have of the XinPingXi mine site and how does it stand out from other tourist attractions you’ve visited?
Thematic Section 1: The Importance of the XinPingXi Mine Site
Guest 1: David, as the director of the museum, could you share the significance of preserving the XinPingXi mine site and the process behind it?
Guest 2: Dimitri, as an artist, what does this recognition mean to you and how does it fit into your artistic journey?
Guest 1: From your perspective, what role does the annual reunion of miners play in keeping the memory of the mine alive and how does it contribute to the preservation of the site?
Thematic Section 2: Educational Value of the Museum and Interpretive Signage
Guest 2: Could you expand on the importance of including interpretive signage and educational panels in the museum to help visitors understand the historical and cultural significance of the site?
Guest 1: Dimitri, as someone who has visited multiple mining museums, how would you compare the educational approach taken at XinPingXi to others you’ve seen?
Guest 2: From your experience, how effective do you think these educational efforts are in promoting an appreciation for mining history among visitors?
Thematic Section 3: Reconciliation of Industry and Nature
Guest 1: David, what led to the decision to focus on the balance between nature and industry at the XinPingXi site, and how is it different from other mining museums you’ve visited?
Guest 2: Dimitri, how does the reconciliation of industry and nature at XinPingXi resonate with you as an artist, and how does it inform your own work on the subject matter?
Guest 1: In your opinion, what lessons can be learned from the preservation efforts at XinPingXi that could be applied to other former
