Christian Boltanski was also inspired by the daily work performed by the ironworkers and has dedicated a large temporary installation to them and their emotions. In addition to the forced labour memorial site, he has created a major installation in memory of the workers at Völklinger Hütte. Located in the 800-square-metre ore shed, this installation comprises ninety-one atmospherically illuminated lockers from all parts of the ironworks. The voices of former ironworkers recalling their work at Völklinger Hütte resonate from the lockers. These lockers – the interior of which is private, the exterior the property of Völklinger Hütte – form the focal point of the installation, which remembers and pays tribute to the work of these former employees in an unusual and arresting manner.

Christian Boltanski exhibited at documenta 5, 6 and 8 in 1972, 1977 and 1987 respectively. In 2011, he designed the entire French pavilion for the fifty-fourth Venice Art Biennale. Christian Boltanski’s works are exhibited in some of the world’s most important art collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Tate in London and the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris.

Installation data
Mixed media with 91 lockers that once belonged to workers at Völklinger Hütte, light, sound (former ironworkers’ memories of working at Völklinger Hütte) Dimensions: 2.2 x 12 x 40 m