« We give shape to our buildings, then they shape us. » Winston Churchill
« Let’s work for the city, we will work for politics. » Paul Virilio

In 1996, Stéphan Barron and Sylvia Hansmann planted a border with sunflowers, flax, wheat, roses, thistles, wild plants, etc. in the public space in front of their public housing building, along a street frequented by prostitutes.This project aims to reclaim the streets through beauty, citizen involvement, and environmental education for children. To occupy the streets with a friendly presence.
The street’s residents are invited to a “sunflower festival.”
They receive support from residents and political figures.
This action is fiercely opposed by a Socialist Party deputy who used his position as president of the public housing authority to win a seat in Congress. This politician expects tenants to vote for him in exchange for housing allocations…
This state of corruption, contempt, and enslavement of the population is denounced in this artistic action, which calls for a different, dignified, and beautiful life for public housing residents.
They repeat the action in 1997.

The story of a borderline case.

We are proposing a street project to local residents. This project aims to reclaim public space, which in Old Lille is currently occupied by street prostitution. The power of flowers offers a different vision of the world and the city.