Using tiles scattered around Esch-sur-Alzette, participants discover an interactive treasure hunt.  (Illustration: IKO)

Using tiles scattered around Esch-sur-Alzette, participants discover an interactive treasure hunt.  (Illustration: IKO)

While waiting for the future Rout Lëns (”red lens”) district to be built in Esch-sur-Alzette, the developer Iko is launching a “smart” and playful treasure hunt through the city.

A new artistic project launched by Iko wants to positively promote the integration of the future Rout Lëns district with the rest of the city of Esch-sur-Alzette. Since 4 May, it is possible to discover the Esch steel heritage through a playful treasure hunt that leads to the Rout Lëns and that is supported by interactive works of art made of earthenware tiles.

Iko has set up a route to be discovered from the red and white tiles scattered around the town. After identifying a first mural, a QR code opens the Rout Lupp application. Participants are then invited to pass the art piece under the red magnifying glass using their phone’s camera to discover a new part of the district. Each mural also hides a character, Sophie, a young heritage ambassador.

These tiles are a tribute to the Portuguese azuléjos--in a nod to the area’s Portuguese heritage--but the famous blue used for these ceramics has been replaced by red--inspired by the steel country’s red earth.  The new creations are called “vermelejos” (”vermelho” meaning red in Portuguese). At present, there are five frescoes scattered around the city, but from September onwards there will be ten. The complete work will then be displayed in the new district. There is also a competition to win a “vermelejo” and a place at a surprise event.

Uniting through art

The development of new neighbourhoods is a long-term project and requires several years of work. In order to bring the population together in a positive way around a large-scale project such as the one being developed at Rout Lëns in Esch-sur-Alzette, the developer Iko has chosen to carry out several artistic actions.

This approach, which is innovative in Luxembourg, has the merit of creating sympathy capital around the project, making people talk about it in a positive way, and federating a community around the future piece of the city while at the same time integrating the new district into the existing urban fabric.

In 2019, Iko commissioned a mural by Eric Mangen, a flag installation by Julie Wagner and a bridge dressing by Sascha Di Giambattista. In July 2021, an exhibition of photographs taken on the site by Philippe Roguet was organised at the Konschthal, followed in November 2021 by the Schlassgoart Gallery. This new treasure hunt proposal is part of this process.

This story was first published in French on . It has been translated and edited for Delano.