Silo Coopératif

The impressive façade of a once shining example of 20th century agricultural success lies abandoned on the banks of the Sèvre Niortaise. The glowing red brick still emits a sense of pride and majesty looming up against the cornflower blue of a cloudless summer sky. Its presence is immense and its solid architectural elements have an elegant beauty in their simplistic, functional style and are to be admired.

A tiered pediment nods to a classical architectural training and the tooled lettering shouts its function and unity in typical 1930s style. But this Emperor of silos is now shabbily attired; its age is showing with window panes missing or broken, red brick crumbling, stained concrete and signs that the harsher side of the Charente Maritime’s weather have seemingly taken their toll. But still the silo stands, determined, wistful, as if hopeful for a reprieve.

Artist’s notes
Silos come in all shapes and sizes and some are the symbol of big business! In the commune of Marans, in the Charente Maritime, the inauguration of an immense silo came about in 1937. The silo was constructed on the banks of the Sèvre Niortaise and was run by agricultural syndicates and cooperatives. These collaborations allowed monumental structures to be built and the silo in Marans is a fine example. I was so taken with this building and so sad to see it abandoned. I can only hope that it will be considered as part of the ‘French patrimoine’ and one day will be put to good use. I vote for it to become a stunning agricultural museum and gallery devoted to ancient and contemporary rural art!

This painting is in oil paint and the angle chosen was to emphasise the enormity of the structure and to catch a glimpse of the wonderful blue sky juxtaposed with the red brick.