Indus’Art, a fusion of art and industry

28 October 2020, Bordes

Eleven works of art from ÉSAD Pyrénées (the Pyrénées superior school of art and design), are displayed in the central walkway of Safran Helicopter Engines’ plant at Bordes (Pyrénées-Atlantiques). This exposition, christened Indus’Art, is an artistic initiative that brings color to the walls of a facility dedicated to industry.

The school-company partnership was launched in 2018. ÉSAD Pyrénées students have since created the works of art, representing their perception of Safran Helicopter Engines; its products, people, customers and history.

During the inauguration Franck Saudo, Safran Helicopter Engines CEO, commented, “Indus’Art is a unique opportunity to introduce beautiful things to an industrial process. All Safran Helicopter Engines teams appreciate this new link to the story of our company”.

The works of art are displayed at the heart of the plant, between new facilities and historic buildings, on a walk-way used every day by employees and customers. Passing through this avenue offers an enjoyable experience and the opportunity to discover the history and values of the company.

Students worked on this project during their second year at ESAD Pyrénées. It involved several steps: meetings, brainstorming, iconographic research, discussion workshops, manual and computer-assisted production, numerical simulation, and oral presentations to Safran employees. The work of these young artists offers a fresh perspective of a cutting-edge business with a well-earned reputation, both in its local area and in the worldwide helicopter community.