- The Minister Arcadi España has emphasised that this initiative “reinforces the emotional link between the infrastructure, the Valencian culture and the neighbourhoods’ residents”
- The eight illustrators who participated in the project are: Víctor Visa, Mar Hernández “Malota”, Irene Pérez, Simone Virgini, Pau Valls, Ángela Fernández del Campo, Elga Fernández Lamas and Diego Blanco
The Minister of Territorial Policy, Public Works and Mobility, Arcadi España, attended the official presentation of the names of the eight stations and stops of Metrovalencia’s future Line 10 (Alacant-Natzaret).
Each name is accompanied by an illustration created especially for the occasion by an illustrator selected after an open process carried out by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (FGV), in collaboration with the Valencian Association of Professional Illustrators (APIV).
The Minister stressed that with this type of initiative “the Generalitat wants to strengthen the emotional link between the infrastructure and the residents of the Valencian neighbourhoods” to, as he explained, “combine Valencian culture with infrastructure through the art of illustrators, as they not only reflect a physical location, but also an emotional location”.
Furthermore, during the presentation of the Line 10 station names, Arcadi España highlighted that this action is “the result of public dialogue”, as it responds to some of the requests made through the Generalitat’s participatory budget, which called for introducing young artists’ work in Metrovalencia’s installations.
On the other hand, regarding each of the illustrations’ designs, the Managing Director of Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana outlined in her speech that the names of the eight stations and stops on Line 10 “were based on functional geographical criteria and others of a historical and popular nature, but always with the aim of helping users to find their way around”.
The jury of this call for projects chose, among more than 90 proposals, these eight illustrators, whose creations accompany the names of the stations and stops. The illustrations present elements or characters linked to the chosen name, along with each artist’s personal style.
Diego Blanco made the picture of Alacant; Mar Hernández “Malota” that of Russafa; Pau Valls that of Amado Granell/Montolivet; Irene Pérez that of Quatre Carreres; Víctor Visa that of Ciutat Arts i Ciències/Justícia; Ángela Fernández del Campo that of Oceanogràfic; Simone Virgini that of Moreres; and Elga Fernández Lamas that of Natzaret.
Arcadi España announced that “these illustrations will be displayed in large format at each of the stations and stops and will be used as their identifying image on maps and other Metrovalencia media, such as transport tickets, once the line comes into operation next year”.
The presentation ceremony, held in the Amado Granell/Montolivet station’s lobby, was attended by FGV’s Managing Director, Anaïs Menguzzato, the illustrators and representatives of neighbourhood associations, as well as the General Manager of the City of Arts and Sciences, Enrique Vidal.
Line 10
Once completed, Line 10 will connect the centre of Valencia with the City of Arts and Sciences area and the Natzaret district, considerably extending the transport service of the Metrovalencia network. This line combines underground and surface sections, covering a distance of 5 kilometres and with 8 stations and stops (3 underground and 5 above-ground).
The planned works along the underground section are currently underway. The works include the installation of the entire double track and switches and crossings; drainage and side channels for installations; and the architectural work of the three stations, which includes finishes, flooring, vertical cladding, furnishing, etc.
Along with the surface section adaptation works, the corresponding electrification, installation of substations and connections of the route between Alacant station and Natzaret, and the contract for signposting, communication and safety, are also underway.
The whole of this line’s construction project is co-financed by the European Union, through the operational programme of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the Valencian Community 2014-2020.
