Talk Radio Day at Design City Luxembourg

In three rounds of an animated and speculative Talk Radio, hosts Erik Wong and Sophie Krier explore possible connections between craftsmanship, industrial production, and the social realm with internationally renowned table guests. Which new configurations can we discern for tomorrow’s world? How can we address antagonistic attitudes and agendas of different social groups? Which collective horizons of meaning can we imagine?

Programme

10–11:30am
Talk 1: WE INDUSTRY, WE CRAFT, WE DESIGN
On the infrastructure of design culture & the political power of mapping
“This is how we do it”: who is we, in this everyday sentence? By nature, “we” also implies “them.” How can design activate and connect the potentially conflicting interests and modi operandi of manufacturers, artisans, and citizens? In a participatory process, who participates, who is represented and who takes decisions?

A talk about the infrastructure of design culture, the (political) power of mapping, the subjectivity of facts, and the tragedies and miracles of designing for the community.

With graphic designer and activist Annelys de Vet (founder of Subjective Atlas Editions and Disarming Design from Palestine), social design strategist François Jégou (founder of Strategic Design Scenarios), and Jan Glas (designer and president of Luxembourg Creative Industries Cluster).

1:30–3pm 
Talk 2: ME CRAFT, ME INDUSTRY, ME DESIGN
On making as a form of undisciplined thinking and the life of materials
“What is going on here? Who/what are you (made of)?” These may seem simple questions; they can however become complex when a designer starts to work with them in order to make sense of a given context—be it a production line, a local technique, or a longstanding tradition. How can design instigate and sustain an open dialogue with its miscellaneous interlocutors, human and non-human?

A talk about the fragility of design processes, the lives of materials, and making as a form of undisciplined thinking.

With designers and researchers Andrea Trimarchi & Simone Farresin (Formafantasma) and Nicolas Verschaeve (Nomad Studio), curators Giovanna Massoni (artistic director of Reciprocity Triennial in Liège) and Alice Stori Liechtenstein (design curator and founder of Schloss Hollenegg for Design).

3:30–5pm 
Talk 3: YOU INDUSTRY, YOU CRAFT, YOU DESIGN
On the mystery of perception, cognition, and interpretation
“Me, me, me”: in Western neo-liberal society, precious are the places which haven’t fallen under the grip of “ego” or self-interested thinking and acting. Perhaps we forgot Victor Papanek’s 1971 lesson: “Design is for the real world.” Perhaps “the real world” has become a diffuse entity and we need to decipher new paths to navigate it. 

What does the eye of the beholder see? A talk about the importance of humour, the relation between what we feel and see, and the mystery of perception.

With visual artist & enfant terrible Florence Doléac, neuropsychologist Anne-Marie Schuller (University of Luxemburg), designer and filmmaker Alexandre Humbert and artisan chocolatiers Marc Schneider and Kim Crochet (Les Chocolats du Coeur by Les Ateliers du Tricentenaire). Special chocolate tasting by Les Chocolats du Cœur. 

5:30–6pm
Drinks & music
With Lorenzo Palmeri, architect and musician, designer of Navel, a modern epic for electric guitar.

Fee: 25 EUR, students 20 EUR (Lunch and drinks included)
Booking: radio [​at​] mudam.lu

About Design City 2018
Design City 2018 focuses on design as a common language capable of making opposites attract. This cross-city event showcases different aspects of contemporary design in view of the recent developments of Luxembourg’s economic and cultural landscape. Through interventions in Luxembourg City, this year’s festival (October 19–November 18, 2018) will unfold how, in combination with industry and crafts, designers are creating an augmented reality of our future. More

An initiative of Mudam Luxembourg - Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean and the City of Luxembourg with the support of Bilia-Emond/Mini.