It was to be the near £1m piece of public art symbolising Londonderry's transition from a city of conflict to a capital of culture.
Mute Meadow, a series of illuminated steel columns on the banks of the Foyle, was unveiled in 2011.
But since the lights went out more than a decade ago, its pillars have been left to gather rust.
Now, its artists are calling for it to be repaired, restored and reinstated "for the people of the city".
Sitting at the Ebrington end of the city's Peace Bridge, Mute Meadow consists of 40 angled steel columns.
The intention was that the steel pillars would be illuminated by LED projectors and lit up in the colours of the stain glass windows of the city's Guildhall.
It was designed to create a "vast field of light" across the River Foyle.
Costing £800,000, and funded by Stormont, then Arts Minister Gregory Campbell said it would "place arts and culture at the centre of the city's regeneration".
Maurice Devenney, Derry's then mayor, said then that it "reflects positively how the city is moving forward" as it prepared for its year as UK City of Culture.
It was at the time, the largest piece of public art on the island of Ireland.
But right from the off it was dogged by problems.
Within months of being switched on, the lights went out due to issues associated with the fabrication of the work.
It was fixed temporarily but by 2014, the lights had gone again.
Mute Meadow has by and large, remained in the dark ever since.
Maurice Hudson and Deirdre Watson from Belfast are staying in a hotel just a few hundred yards from Mute Meadow.
Neither "had a clue" the artwork existed or what the steel columns are for.
Maurice said there are other priorities "like the state of our national health service." Deirdre agreed, adding money could be spent "a better way, for things like housing".
But Maurice added, when a lot of money has already been spent, the lights should be on.
"With the people of Derry/Londonderry not having to pay for the electric," Deirdre added.
In a statement, Phaophanit and Oboussier said there seemed to have been a lack of care around their artwork.
The artists hope that "proactive action" is taken to repair the piece and reinstate it for the city.
Mute Meadow, the artists said, was "one of our most challenging and meaningful pieces of work to realise".
"Our hope and intention was that it would make an enduring contribution to the Derry cityscape - a positive and peaceful space where people could gather, somewhere where Derry citizens could continue to develop a sense of collective belonging for years to come."
The artists said they remain committed to help in any way they can.
The council said a concept design has been completed to restore the artwork's lighting.
"Council is currently working to identify adequate budget to deliver the works," a spokeswoman said.
The cost of those works is due to be presented to councillors in the coming months.
"Council will also continue to work with The Executive Office to find a lasting solution for the long-term future of the artwork."
The Executive Office (TEO) said it is also supportive of the work needed to repair it.
"We understand a concept design exists for relighting the artwork and a cost estimate has been compiled. On receipt of costs from council we will consider a contribution," a TEO spokesperson said.