Described as an “evolving and ever-changing platform for philosophy, art, culture and science,” Qompendium, it is fair to say, is not quite like anything else available on the market (or the internet) today. “Perhaps every publisher feels that way about their magazine,” suggests editor-in-chief and creative director Kimberly Lloyd, “and there are many others out there, each with their own special something. With Qompendium, we are trying to put the best of all elements and pieces-of-the-puzzle together in one volume.”

For the 13th consecutive year, from 26 to 28 March, a weekend of free museum admissions, guided tours and workshops, as well as shuttle buses between the venues, has been organised. This does not altogether surprise Lloyd: “Luxembourg is small but furious with its cultural agenda,” she remarks, “when I visited in 2007 I went to Mudam and some galleries and was astonished by the great curation of art and selection of print publications.”

Science fact, not science fiction

Qompendium itself targets, according to Lloyd, “the disillusioned, rational, yet aesthetically intrigued fountainhead, a reader who is at all times in search of fertile thinking ground, not to be classified by age, income, nationality or sex.” The latest volume, for example, chooses to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the moon landing by analysing the rich archives of NASA and Hasselblad, as well as featuring interviews with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and Nick Sagan. “It is a magazine for lovers of natural curiosity and rational amusement, with a keen eye for photography, graphic design, and in-depth discussion of metaphysical issues,” adds Lloyd.

 It also provides features on contemporary international artists and points of interest in contemporary culture and popular science. The presentation itself, which will start at 6pm in the Mudam auditorium, will be about “deconstructing and decoding Qompendium, and constructing it back into a time capsule of historical and contemporary content.” Lloyd will be giving the visitors a glimpse behind the scenes, a “director’s cut or making of,” in her words.

The ideas and talents captured in Qompendium may seem to be quite arbitrary, and in a sense they are, but they are unified by the fact that they are thought-provoking and sometimes disturbing in their arrangement. But it is not about being shown a way, as much as filtering what is out there into a more streamlined system. “The presentation provides an insight into Qompendium, sure, but it is also a dialogue, a question and answer session, between those in attendance, and with Design Friends.” Inspiration can be found anywhere, even if it is not being sought, and its form is rough. Qompendium can chronicle this inspiration.

For more information, please click on www.mudam.lu and www.qompendium.com. An Insight into Qompendium with Kimberly Lloyd is on at 6pm – 8pm on 26 March 2010 in the Mudam auditorium.