For the third edition of Berlin’s beloved Reference Festival, the crafty creatives behind the event have partnered with Schinkel Pavilion to explore the theme of ‘Protopia’ and the ever-changing potential of Berlin’s iconic architectural spaces. On the 8th & 12th of September, Reference Festival will breathe new life into the previously abandoned Bierpinsel, one of West Berlin’s ultimate architectural landmarks, opening its doors to a new generation of Berliners for the first time in a decade.
Reference Festival is a place to showcase innovative projects from an array of interdisciplinary creative arts, all united under the umbrella of ‘Protopia’. With a particular focus on the fashion industry, this years schedule will explore the space between ‘utopia and ‘dystopia’ to reimagine the often polarised view of our future. A ‘Protopian’ approach seeks to break the boundaries between these two spaces and instead explore the possibilities of a world with no ‘singular future’ and instead imagine a future with a vast scope of many alternative realities that are constantly being shaped by our action and inaction.
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To help Reference trailblaze into their protopian future, they have teamed up with iconic fashion houses like GmbH, deadHYPE, OTTOLINGER, Carhartt WIP and 032c to create a captivating array of physical showcases and activations that challenge our singular perceptions of the future. Alongside the traditional Berlin Fashion Week schedule, Reference is also launching its ‘Reference Incubator Programme’ which focuses on responsibility in fashion and draws attention to a new generation of boundary-pushing designers from communities of colour. Of course, it wouldn’t be a true Reference event without a stellar soundtrack and music programme carefully curated by PAN’s Bill Kouligas.
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This year’s Reference Festival is not something you’re going to want to miss as questions and conundrums about fashions role in building a protopian future are answered by the industries leading pioneers and innovators. For those unable to attend in person, you can also join in the fun via Reference’s revolutionary virtual reality platform ‘Reference Realities’.
You can tune into Reference Festival here.
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See also: REFERENCE INCUBATOR: A PRIZE HIGHLIGHTING POC DESIGNERS
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