Like a bright red buoy, "The Light" stretches towards the sky from the top of the Rheinpreußen slag heap in Moers. This oversized mining lamp is one of the most striking art and cultural symbols of industrial culture in the Ruhr region. Especially in the dark, an impressive play of light and shadow unfolds, which can be seen as far as the nearby Rhine.
The Rheinpreußen slag heap, once part of the mine of the same name, which mined hard coal from 1876 to 1990, is now a green area that is an attractive destination for hikers and walkers. "The light" has crowned the top of this slag heap since 2007 and, together with its base, forms the largest mining work of art in the world. The integrated viewing platform offers a spectacular view of the Ruhr region.
Created by Otto Piene, the work is reminiscent of the indispensable mining lamp, an essential tool for miners. Inspired by the Davy lamp of the 19th century, the lamp appears to be both directly and indirectly illuminated due to its slatted structure. The illuminated space in front of the "light" with its deep red is an invitation to linger and relax after the climb.
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