In Vienna, the exhibition ‘Two-O-Eight: Designing Voices’ was commissioned by curator Anna Loporcaro, in collaboration with Design Luxembourg. Kultur | lx was the sole funder and coordinated the project, a role it usually only takes on for the Luxembourg pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale.
The Arts Council was established in July 2020 on the initiative of the ministry of Culture, and subsequently became a public body under an Act of December 2022. It brought together existing initiatives, such as ‘music:LX’ and ‘Reading Luxembourg’, to become the country’s first multidisciplinary platform dedicated to supporting, promoting and disseminating the cultural scene, with a strong international focus. Design sits alongside music, literature and the visual arts. A distinction which, in Eléonore Mialonier’s own words, is difficult to draw.
How did Luxembourg come to be the guest of honour in Vienna?
Eléonore Mialonier. – “The story dates back to 2023. Our remit includes scouting trips: we regularly travel abroad to meet key players in the sectors we cover and, where possible and appropriate, explore opportunities for collaboration. During a scouting trip to Vienna, I met, amongst others, Gabriel Roland, director of Vienna Design Week, and Laura Winkler, head of communications.
In 2025, as part of the Luxembourg Design Festival, we invited them to take part in a ‘focus’ – that is, an initiative where international professionals are invited to explore the Luxembourg design scene over a set period, usually during an event, so that they can meet key figures in the local scene. Alexandra Bruckner, production manager at Vienna Design Week, and Laura Winkler came in November and stayed for several days: the festival, 1535°, studio visits, exhibitions… In spring 2026, Vienna Design Week invited us to be a ‘Gast’ [German for ‘guest’, ed.].
What is Kultur | lx’s role in this type of programme?
“It is part of our mission to promote and raise the profile of the Luxembourg arts scene: to give it visibility and support it on international platforms. Our work is based on several key areas: support, through the allocation of grants; promotion, through the facilitation of residencies and workshops, and the organisation of focus groups and talent scouting events; and dissemination, through support at biennials and festivals. However, in principle, we are neither programmers nor producers. In Vienna, we worked with Design Luxembourg and Anna Loporcaro on the content and organisation, and we coordinated the entire project.
We were quite heavily involved in the production and construction of the project, which is something we don’t always do on this scale.
Why is Vienna a special case?
“Because we’ve been quite heavily involved in the production and development of the project, which isn’t something we always do on this scale. Often, it involves collaborations where we support initiatives. My colleagues are active on other platforms: Avignon for the performing arts, Arles for the visual arts, and book fairs for literature. In my sector, there is the Luxembourg pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale, but still few international events. Unlike that pavilion, Vienna is a one-off event: we won’t be the ‘Gast’ at every edition. It was a wonderful opportunity to raise our profile, especially as the festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
Do all the other Luxembourg projects in Vienna go through you?
“There are several different scenarios. The Subtile gallery was contacted directly by Vienna Design Week, and we supported the initiative because it showcases Luxembourgish designs. Tatiana Bifouri responded to a call for entries: her project was selected, and we supported it because it met our criteria. As for the talks and other formats at the festival, we were the ones who put forward the proposals.
How much were you involved in the exhibition?
“We give the curator and the exhibition designer a great deal of freedom. Anna Loporcaro was invited to act as curator in collaboration with Design Luxembourg. We do not interfere with the content: we simply set out a general framework – of an ethical nature – a charter. We have been able to suggest certain ideas, such as inviting contributors with links to Vienna where it made sense, but the projects remain theirs. We have supported them and are funding the exhibition. It is an ongoing dialogue.
Are you the sole sponsor of the exhibition?
“Yes.
What is his budget?
“It hasn’t been made public yet. The exhibition has only just been set up and still needs to be taken down: giving a figure at this stage would be pointless.
The term ‘artist’ may not be broad enough […]: the sector I cover lies at the intersection of economics and culture.
You don’t just support artists…
“The term ‘artist’ may not be broad enough to encompass all practices. The sector I cover lies at the intersection of the economy and culture. Like arts councils elsewhere, we promote creativity, research and the cultural dimension. We do not support construction or property development projects, nor, in the field of design, purely industrial products. It’s difficult to draw the line, but we prioritise innovation, creativity and culture. This also applies to the figures: we do not necessarily have a comprehensive overview of the sector, as we do not cover all areas of design.
How do you choose the designers you support, both in Vienna and in your everyday life?
“We did not choose the designers featured in the exhibition. The list is the result of a dialogue between Design Luxembourg and Anna Loporcaro, with the aim of representing the various fields of design as broadly as possible. It is not a selection in the strict sense. In our day-to-day work, we do not make choices either: when a project is relevant and consistent with the designer’s practice, career and prospects, we support it in accordance with our criteria. That is why we do not curate exhibitions.
In 2025, Kultur | lx awarded €1.2m in grants, 13% of which went to architecture, design and the arts and crafts. Is this budget sufficient to support all applications?
“The budget is annual. So far, it has been sufficient to support all those whose projects are eligible – that is to say, coherent and relevant. Not all projects are selected: we have numerous criteria. Applications are reviewed once a month, and the final decision rests with a selection committee, particularly for larger sums.
That was the brief from the outset: an exhibition that could travel, be long-lasting and be preserved for the long term.
How many designers did you support in 2025?
“A good twenty or so. Our annual report does not distinguish between architecture, design and the arts and crafts, and some profiles fall between two fields.
What will become of the exhibition after Vienna?
“The idea is to present it at the next Luxembourg Design Festival, in November 2027. It also serves as an archive: its content exists in digital form and can be listened to, notably on the Radio 100.7 website, and the talks organised as part of the exhibition will be uploaded to YouTube. This makes it easier to share, for example via embassies, should opportunities arise abroad. That was the brief from the outset: an exhibition capable of travelling, enduring and being preserved in the long term.”
