Industrial memory and photography: a participatory project with local residents to tell the story of Usinor
In 2025, a multi-stage photographic project was carried out with a dozen Porte du Hainaut residents, inspired by the work of Bernard Plossu, a photographer who in the 1980s explored the French industrial milieu, particularly the Usinor steel group. Founded in 1948 and defunct since 2001, this company in northern France experienced periods of growth, but also major layoffs, particularly in Denain and Escaudain, leaving traces that are still perceptible in the territory and collective memory.
In the 1980s, a group of Usinor workers had set up a photo club, taking part in competitions and thus contributing, a few years later, to the founding of the CRP: the Centre Régional de la Photographie des Hauts-de-France.
As part of this project, local residents worked around photographic series by Bernard Plossu and Nicolas Delfort, the latter being present to accompany the work. These photographic approaches shed light on the different temporalities and histories linked to Usinor, while encouraging the expression of local residents and their view of their territory.
The project is based on a series of photographs by Bernard Plossu and Nicolas Delfort, with the latter present to accompany the work.
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Project milestones:
→ May 12, 2025 - Visit to CRP/ and silver workshop with presentation of Bernard Plossu's work.
→ May 15, 2025 - Visit to the Musée de l'Art Photographique in Mortagne-du-Nord.
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→ May 29, 2025 - Visit and shooting at the Usinor sites in Denain and Escaudain, in collaboration with the audiovisual creation association Losange Noir.
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This approach has made it possible to enhance a major industrial and cultural heritage, while giving residents the opportunity to actively participate in an artistic and collective project.
→ 29 mai 2025 – Visite et prises de vue sur les sites Usinor de Denain et Escaudain, en collaboration avec l'association de création audiovisuelle Losange Noir.
Cette démarche a permis de valoriser un patrimoine industriel et culturel majeur, tout en donnant aux habitants l'occasion de participer activement à un projet artistique et collectif.