Is direction22 soon with sack and pack on the street?

Will the Bâtiment4 tacitly leave the Bâtiment4 in Esch/Alzette? Such an excerpt would not fit the profile of the young artist collective, which, with his actions and projects on grievances in the Luxembourg (cultural) politics, society and media landscape, would not fit. Because direction22 likes to go back to it from time to time.

Nevertheless, the partly controversial collective has no choice: the group must have cleared the bâtiment4 until the end of the month-then the contract with the Frech Asbl.

« If towards22 refuses to leave the Bâtiment4 by April 30, the steps provided for in the legal framework will of course be initiated, » says Loic Clairet, director of Fresch to the « Luxemburger Word » in writing. Then one also wants to switch on the judiciary in order to enforce the rights of FRESCH and thus also that of the Bâtiment4 in compliance with the applicable procedures.

No successor from direction22 determined yet

Anyone who will get the premises in the Bâtiment4 in the direction of 22 is not yet clear. According to Clairet, no decision has been made here. « There is a waiting list. The team and the board of directors will assign these rooms as soon as their availability is confirmed. »

Review, however, doubts that this « long waiting list » exists at all. « Fresch is currently forgiving spaces to initiatives that only use them four to five hours a week. That means the rooms are officially occupied, but the building is empty, » writes the artist collective in an email.

With regard to the upcoming end of the contract, the direction of 22 should be checked and searched for a solution. However, Frech has no contact and a conversation has not yet been provided.

« How exactly we organize our move and whether we survive as a group is still unclear, » emphasizes the artist collective in an email. « We fear that we will have to give away part of our props and building materials – simply because we will lack the necessary space. »

Financial crisis and problems in search of accommodation

The group of young cultural workers have been looking for an alternative for months. Actually, the Bâtiment4 should have left last year, But they were granted an extended use of the premises.

As the “Luxemburger Word” writes on request, the search for new premises has so far been unsuccessful. « Our needs are very complex. In addition to an office or studio – also for the storage of stage parts, costumes, technology and archive material – we also need a room that, as the basement in Bâtiment4 measures a certain amount. Only in this way can we build stages and film, such as with a green screen. »

The loss of one’s own premises also means if the collective does not find an alternative that many materials first have to be accommodated in private garages.

The short -term move also complicates the implementation of current projects or make them impossible. These projects include cooperation with the Chemnitz collective « Out of Order » for this year’s European Capital of Culture. You also constantly work on contributions for the website www.queer.luat the satirical newspaper « Hannerland » and on a graphic novel in the context of the translation of her book « Luxembourg was never a colonial power ».

In addition, towards22 has been in a financial crisis, since the financing of her collective has decreased since Esch2022. « The city of Esch and Fresch have deleted all support. The Ministry of Culture under the DP does not really enable us to find ahead. In addition, the financing of the oeuvre for our projects through colonial history in January has been of no success. That means that we are generally in a phase in which we have to rethink. »

Because of the current situation, there is also an « Exodus of members » in the collective that settle in cities such as Berlin, Brussels, Paris and Vienna. Simply « because there are more opportunities and support as well as cheaper living conditions. »

The Bâtiment4 as a « artistic springboard »

When asked why some of the rooms in Bâtiment4 are empty, the director of Fresch replies that current renovation work is the reason for this. « Other rooms, such as the common rooms, remain accessible for unique events – a way to keep the place alive and open, » says Loic Clairet.

While several collectives such as Bunker, Cell and NOC.urn have had to leave the Bâtiment4 in recent years, Fresch also gives other cultural workers the opportunity to settle on the premises on Rue de Luxembourg. For example, the Luxembourg musician George Philippart, who took part in “The Voice of Germany” in 2020.

The 34-year-old received the keys to his studio in Bâtiment4 at the end of last summer, when he asked the « Luxembourg word ». « Before I was able to work full -time there, I spent a lot of time to set up and design the space so that it becomes a creative place that meets my artistic needs. Since the end of the year I have been a permanently based and develop my entire musical creativity there. »

George Philippart describes the opportunity to have his own studio in a culture « animal » like the Bâtiment4, as an « artistic springboard ». Here he could work on his projects, write new songs and rehearse – both as a solo artist and in cooperation with other cultural workers. « The open and inspiring atmosphere of the place promotes exchange and creative synergies. »

He also has a contract with regard to the use of the Bâtiment4 that runs by the end of 2027. In this context, the usage agreements can be renewed annually. In the medium to long term, the musician would like to further develop his work space and gradually equip it with professional equipment, « so that I can absorb my own compositions on site. »