Art as a collector's item: another type of "galleries"

It's almost like entering an art gallery: On the ground floor, photographs by world-famous US photographer Andres Serrano adorn the walls; one floor up, works by big names such as David LaChapelle, as well as pictures by Luxembourgish artists such as Lisa Kohl, Marco Godinho, Justine Blau or Sophie Jung. The law firm Arendt & Medernach has been dedicated to contemporary photography for 22 years. The idea, originally conceived by founding member Philippe Dupont, was realised from the outset by curator Paul di Felice, his daughter Claire having joined the team two years ago.

The company's collection comprises over 360 works, with new photographs added every year. Arendt & Art is not an isolated project in Luxembourg though, as many companies collect art. But what makes the office in Kirchberg so special is its accessibility, as the doors are open every weekend. "From the beginning, the idea was that not only our clients and employees should be able to see the collection at Arendt House, but also the general public, " explains Paul di Felice. While the works on the first floor can only be viewed by outsiders during guided tours or special events for security reasons, the two annual temporary exhibitions on the ground floor are open to everyone on Saturdays and Sundays.

Much more than an investment

Currently, you can marvel at the pictures of the aforementioned photographer Andres Serrano, who is known for his provocative yet always aesthetic content. Immersions, The Morgue, Objects of Desire, America, Holy Works: the exhibition combines five of Serrano's best-known series and surprises with some of the subjects depicted. "Of course, the works we choose still have to fit into the context of a law firm, but they are all iconic photos that represent the artist. The Ku Klux Klan is here, the bodies are here, the guns are here and the urine and blood series is here, " says di Felice. It is important to promote dialogue, which is why Arendt & Medernach's collection only includes works by living artists who are regularly invited to talk about their photographs – with one exception: Francesca Woodman, one of the strongest female voices in the history of photography.

The father-daughter duo explains why the company chose this particular medium: "Photography is accessible, both in terms of price and what is shown. The pictures tell a story and it was important to us from the start that they have a message, art that speaks, so to speak, without forgetting the aesthetic aspect, of course." The curators accept that some of the works may be polarising, because "it was never about investing or decorating, but about sharing art with other people, showing its topicality and providing a view of our society through the works that stimulates discussion, " says Paul di Felice.