Aquatunnel Entrance A - The Lower World (LUGA 2025)

Experience the sound installation The Lower World by Susan Philipsz!

As part of the temporary open-air exhibition LUGA - Luxembourg Urban Garden 2025, Scottish artist Susan Philipsz (born in 1965 in Glasgow) is taking over the Aquatunnel in Luxembourg with a new sound installation created in collaboration with Mudam Luxembourg – Musée d'Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean. A specialist in installations that explore the emotional and sculptural dimensions of sound, Philipsz has created an immersive work entitled The Lower World for this unique underground space.

The 900-metre-long Aquatunnel connects the Petrusse Valley to the Pfaffenthal district, passing under the Upper Town. Originally built to collect sewage, it has been redeveloped for civil protection purposes. This particular context inspired the design of the installation, which draws on warning sounds as well as mythological narratives.The Lower World draws its inspiration from the Greek mythological Underworld – an underground kingdom populated by supernatural creatures and wandering souls – and creates a dialogue between ancient sirens, known for their enchanting song, and those of our time, who signal danger.

Added to this is a reinterpretation of the Luxembourg legend of Melusine, a freshwater nymph who appeared to Count Siegfried on the Bock promontory.Speakers installed at intervals along the tunnel broadcast this vocal composition recorded by the artist. The song of the sirens gradually fills the space, alternating between harmony, melancholy, dissonance and mystery. Like a rippling soundscape, the installation envelops visitors and invites them to perceive this underground urban environment in a different way.

‘With this work, I want to fill the Aquatunnel with sound, work with the peculiarities of the space and encourage visitors to reflect on their surroundings through a variety of associations,’ says Philipsz. Susan Philipsz lives and works in Berlin.

NOTE TO THE PUBLIC:

To fully immerse yourself in this sound installation, we kindly ask that you enter the tunnel in silence. The delicate interplay of sound and environment is intended to create a space for deep listening, connection and reflection. Any noise may disrupt your own experience of it.

About LUGA:

LUGA – Luxembourg Urban Garden is an open-air exhibition of urban gardens, landscape and art installations, agricultural projects and living spaces to be discovered from 7 May to 18 October 2025.The temporary LUGA exhibition will take over five iconic sites in Luxembourg: the Alzette Valley, Edouard André Municipal Park, the Pétrusse Valley, Kirchberg and the town of Ettelbruck in Nordstad.