C-mine Labyrinth

A kilometre of steel corridors were constructed to form a mechanical-looking maze at a former coal mine in Genk. The installation is called ‘Labyrinth’, and was created to be a spatial experience by studio Gijs Van Vaerenbergh, a collaboration between Belgian architects Pieterjan Gijs and Arnout Van Vaerenbergh.

'Labyrinth' was constructed to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the exhibitions and events venue C-mine – which opened in 2005 at the decommissioned Winterslag coal mining site. The maze structure measures 37.5 square metres and uses 186 tons of five-millimetre-thick steel plates for its walls. The designers state that through a "monotonous succession of high corridors, the viewer is confronted with openings that reveal what is on the other side of the walls." Seen from certain perspectives, the cut-put frames are "fragmentary, whereas from other viewpoints the entire cut-out shape is revealed." These gaps and clearings allow maze navigators to see into other sections and through to outside, but they don't make it a lot easier to find the way out.

'Labyrinth' can be visited for free. C-mine frequently hosts exhibitions, dance, theatre ... so check out their website to see what's up.