Caroline von Reden and Alex Reding;
Credit: © Wouter Maeckelberghe
The 9th edition of Luxembourg Art Week is being organised from 10 to 12 November 2023 in the centre of Luxembourg City.
One year out from its 10th anniversary edition, Luxembourg Art Week is launching a series of strategic readjustments under the leadership of its new director, Caroline von Reden. Luxembourg Art Week was born out of the desire to build bridges between the local art scene and the international art market. From the outset, it was conceived by its founder, gallerist Alex Reding, as an event that unfolds as two complementary parts: a fair that is custom-tailored to meet the needs and expectations of its local and international exhibitors, and a vast programme of events organised in collaboration with national and international institutions and artists, which has allowed it to establish itself as the go-to event in the region.
While reinforcing its status as a local and regional driving force by multiplying and diversifying its partnerships, the fair’s medium- and long-term development strategy aims to strengthen and promote Luxembourg’s appeal as a choice destination for collectors and art lovers eager to make new discoveries. By highlighting the country’s formidable assets, Luxembourg Art Week is responding to the expectations of an increasingly demanding audience, who regard destination as a key factor in their decision-making, as evidenced by the recent reshuffles in the global network of galleries and fairs.
Thanks to its geographical location, Luxembourg Art Week benefits from a multicultural, cosmopolitan and multilingual environment (nearly 53% of Luxembourg’s residents are foreign), at the crossroads of diverse influences and cultures. Situated in the heart of the European mainland, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and its capital are an integral part of the BeNeLux and the Greater Region, which includes the two German Länder of Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, the Walloon region and the German-speaking community of Belgium, as well as Lorraine in France, now part of the Grand Est region. This proximity to Paris, Brussels, Cologne and Düsseldorf, and the fact that it is at less than an hour and a half’s flight from Vienna, Geneva, Amsterdam, London and Milan, means that the fair reaches not only local and regional collectors, art market professionals and businesses, but also a vast pool of foreign collectors and connoisseurs, as well as a transnational network of professionals and institutions.
The move of the fair in 2021 into a 5,000 m2 temporary construction echoing the extension of the Grand Palais Éphémère or Frieze marked a decisive turning point. Located in the heart of Luxembourg City, just a few minutes from the major cultural and European institutions in the Kirchberg financial district, this distinctive venue has allowed it to attract 80 exhibitors and 20,000 paying visitors during its last edition (+30% compared to 2021). The bespoke facilities are characterised by a warm, friendly atmosphere conducive to personal encounters and discussions, while providing a professional and business-friendly environment.
For its 9th edition, Luxembourg Art Week has commissioned T.ZED Architects (Dubai, Luxembourg) to design the fair’s communal areas and furnishings. Following a contextual approach, the functional unity of the interior and exterior spaces developed by T.ZED is based on a variation of combinations implemented with an economy of means and materials, guaranteeing a unique visitor experience.
The selection process is currently underway and the final list of exhibitors will be announced shortly. So far, the organisers have received 160 requests from 13 countries, 54% of
which are from new applicants.
Opening Night
As with previous editions, the opening night of the 9th Luxembourg Art Week will be hosted by Casino Luxembourg – Forum d’art contemporain. This year’s late-night event will be curated by art critic and independent curator Amy Cheng, founder of The Cube Project Space, a non-profit venue based in Taipei that aims to promote cultural exchange between Taiwan and the international community.
