The Red Thread of Fabian Böhrens dresses the Cité du Cuir in Saint-Junien
On 15 September 2025, the Cité du Cuir unveiled Le Fil Rouge, a luminous work by artist Fabian Böhrens, conceived as part of the artistic 1% (a scheme that commits 1% of the public construction budget to a work of art). Deployed from facades to the building's chimney, this neon facility pays tribute to the local industrial heritage and is part of the artistic commitment of the site. The Cité du Cuir, located on the edge of Vienna, is about to open its doors: a living museum dedicated to leather, where dialogue between heritage know-how and contemporary creation.
A work designed to celebrate leather materials and exceptional know-how
Designed specifically for the Cité du CuirLe Fil Rouge is the result of a public order issued by the Communauté de communes Porte Océane du Limousin. The installation combines red neon tubes, blown by hand by a high Viennese company. A repertoire of shapes, created from the logo of the leather material, dresses the old carpentry of the facades, while three large circles dominate the chimney. Their red light evokes the smoke of the old factories, a nod to the industrial history of the place.
Photo credit: Kathleen Missud
An artistic project at the service of a plural museum dedicated to leather and its history
Special cultural institution, Cité du Cuir prepares to open to the general public its 1300 m2 of museum trail, its creative workshops and its shop. The Fil Rouge, a luminous work installed on the fireplace and facades, acts as a strong visual signal, inspired by the symbol of leather and made of handcrafted neon. It links the site's industrial past to its new cultural vocation, while providing a sensitive insight into the site's identity. This contemporary creation embodies the alliance between architectural heritage, traditional know-how and graphic design. It enriches the visitor experience and fully reflects the ambition of the preservation and awareness commitment of the Cité du Cuir in Saint-Junien and Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
Photo credit : Matthias
Photo credit : Matthias