Howling of wolves and housing shortage at the work show

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Howling of wolves and housing shortage at the work show

After years of diligence, the crowning glory follows: the final exhibition of the design, film and art students. This year, for the first time, the diploma theses from two new fields of study are also on display: Data Design & Art and Spatial Design.

public exhibition June 23 to July 2, 2022 Werkschau Design & Kunst 2023 In March 1981, young people occupied the former hotel-restaurant "Einhorn" in downtown Lucerne, which was vacant at the time. With this action, the young men and women protested for more affordable housing, marking the birth of Lucerne’s squatter scene.

Without the "Unicorn" squat, Stéphanie Kiser’s final project at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts would probably not exist: Kiser is studying for a Bachelor’s degree in Data Design & Art. In her work "Hier wohnen wir!" (This is where we live!), she presents the history of Lucerne squats since 1981 in a three-dimensional, walk-in data installation.

The native of Aargau wants to convey to the audience in a catchy way in which periods and in which places squatting occurred particularly often. "My installation is meant to invite people to think about their own housing situation," she says.

Kiser is part of the first graduating class of the Bachelor Data Design & Art launched in 2020. The 22-year-old will start a one-year traineeship in Information Design & Visual Storytelling at the NZZ in September.

Forward-looking and socially relevant

Students in the Bachelor Spatial Design (launched in 2020) are also graduating for the first time this year. Both fields of study - Data Design & Art and Spatial Design - deal with socially relevant topics and set the course for the future.

Jacqueline Holzer, Director of the Department of Design & Art at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, says: "I am delighted that our students are able to show their skills to a broad public. Their skills are in high demand in business and society."

What are Data Design & Art and Spatial Design?

Data Design & Art: Data is the resource of the 21st century. In the Bachelor Data Design & Art, which is unique in Europe, students learn to communicate large amounts of data and complex interrelationships to the general population in a visualized way. The implementation takes place, for example, in the form of graphics, sculptures, virtual reality installations or sound worlds. hslu.ch/data-design-art

Spatial Design: Students of the Bachelor Spatial Design create high-quality interior and exterior spaces, whether for museums, theme parks, hotels or for theater and television. Both analog and digital means are used. The curriculum focuses on questions such as "What are good spaces?" and "How can we better design spaces based on actions that take place in them?" hslu.ch/spatial-design

The final projects of the design, film and art students are on display at the Werkschau Design & Kunst from June 23 to July 2. Our small sample illustrates the diversity of the works on display:

Bachelor Spatial Design: New Life for an Old Spa

Davina Andrea Deplazes investigates the Tenigerbad in Val Sumvitg (GR) and develops new uses for it.

Bachelor Camera Arts: Man, Animal and Criminal

In his final project "Digital Domestication" Matthias Pfammatter examines the relationship between humans and wild animals, and contrasts it with statements by the philosopher Michel Foucault.

Master Film: Is there such a thing as a good car?

Fabian Biasio’s graduation film "Automania" deals with his inner conflict between car hater and car lover.

Exhibition Design & Art 2023

Exhibition Werkschau Design & Kunst 2023 of the final projects of the Bachelor and Master graduates (without Master Art):

  • Vernissage: Fri, June 23, 6:30 pm.
  • Exhibition: Sat, June 24 to Sun, July 2, 2023; 12 to 8 p.m.; Sun, July 2, until 6 p.m.



Final exhibition "Ceci n’est pas une exposition" of the Master Art: Tue, 20. to Fri, 23. June 2023, Kampus Südpol in Kriens LU.

Complete program, current information for visitors as well as pictures and descriptions of all final works: hslu.ch/werkschau

The exhibition and the supporting program are free of charge.