Gembloux : Cystic fibrosis monument

An innovative project!

An initiative of the Belgian Cystic Fibrosis Association. To coincide with the fifth National Cystic Fibrosis Day, in 2004, a replica of the solar system at 1/40 million scale was created in nine Belgian municipalities. The Sun and its nine planets are represented by metal sculptures broadly reflective of mythology. Each of the sculptures is located at the actual distance (according to the scale decided upon) from the sun.

What is the connection with cystic fibrosis?

The permanent installation of the 10 sculptures on Belgian territory represents the constant struggle cystic fibrosis sufferers face every day because of their illness. Each planet features the name of a god or goddess establishing a link with some dimension of the fight against cystic fibrosis.
Sun: centre of the system : cystic fibrosis, association and specialist centres
Mercury: god of commerce, the cost of the illness
Venus : goddess of love, the care and love parents lavish on their child suffering from cystic fibrosis
Earth: scientific research into cystic fibrosis
Mars: god of war, fighting cystic fibrosis
Jupiter: father of the gods, cystic fibrosis and parenthood
Saturn: god of agriculture, cystic fibrosis and food
Uranus : god of the sky and the air, cystic fibrosis and breathing
Neptune: god of the sea and the oceans, cystic fibrosis and mucus
Pluto: god of the underworld and death, cystic fibrosis and a limited life expectancy

In geographical terms the project extends beyond the language borders to cover nine municipalities. The Sun was inaugurated on Sunday, 16 May in Auderghem, where the association's headquarters is found. The municipalities taking part in the project are Tongres, Hoeilaart, Florenville, Gembloux, Kampenhout, Watermael-Boitsfort, Uccle "Space Pole", Ostend.
Fired with enthusiasm, the city of Gembloux, in common with the other municipalities, soon aligned itself with this splendid project allowing the city to highlight the need to lend support to those suffering from cystic fibrosis. The 10 works produced by the same artist, Tim Roosen, symbolise each planet and form an aesthetically coherent whole.
On 25 September 2004, the city of Gembloux inaugurated its "Cystic fibrosis monument", on the place Arthur Lacroix. The monument represents the planet that the Walloon agricultural centre eminently symbolises : Saturn.
Planet: Saturn
Theme: cystic fibrosis and food
Saturn is the god of time and agriculture.
He is represented by a Cor-Ten steel disc with stainless steel tube rings. Wrought iron and bronze cereals are shown on top of the base.
On a 1/40 million scale, Saturn is 3m in diameter and is located 35. 7 km from the sun.
Sizes :
Overall sculpture: 4m70 x 3m high
Produced by : Tim Roosen (°1972)
Wildebamp 19
3800 Sint-Truiden

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