Fotografiska Berlin Announces Three-Day Event Program (March 23 – 25)

Fotografiska Berlin–the new museum for photography–announces Fotografiska DAYS: a three-day event program under the main topic CULTURAL FABRIC — Rereading the Relationship Between Art and Fashion Practices.

Before opening its flagship museum space, slated for the second half of 2023, Fotografiska Berlin is focusing on an inclusive pre-opening program, the goal of which is to cross-connect the city’s various creative industries take place at Berlin’s Atelier Gardens (former BUFA), formerly an iconic campus overlooking Tempelhofer Feld, a venue chosen for its shared values and vision. The campus draws on a long tradition of storytelling, having been a home to pioneers of change and regenerative entrepreneurship.

Part of EMOP–the European Month of Photography–and featuring a weekend-long group show, panel discussions, workshops, portfolio reviews, film screenings and more, the event program is dedicated to proposing new ideas and fostering essential dialogues, critically reflecting on contemporary visual culture and its values related to representation and meaning.

Unfolding across three days (March 23 – 25), the event will consist of four program units: exhibition, conference, educational program, and entertainment. In the spirit of accessibility and equity, tickets will be sold at a symbolic price point, bringing together the work of local and internationally acclaimed artists, experts, moderators, and speakers from the broad field of visual production. More details about the event program will be revealed soon.

Main Theme

In a world of omnipresent digitalization and brand awareness, images and narratives–the key currencies of a visually driven culture–yield the power to both form and transform cultural currents. What multiplicities of meaning are we assigning to these visual codes and how can we unpack them?

The program aims to examine the power of visual language in relation to art and fashion by rereading diverse image- and brand-making strategies, including their creative and subversive potential. We want to address the instability of images in different media, alongside the emancipatory potential of their consumption and interpretation.

Under the umbrella topic CULTURAL FABRIC — Rereading the Relationship Between Art and Fashion Practices different aspects of these ideas will be challenged and discussed.

Together, we will critically reflect on the economy of art and fashion regarding creative autonomy, aestheticization, appropriation, tastemaking, commercialization, and commodification, as well as the possibility of disrupting these concepts.

The Exhibition

Seven artists, both Berlin-based and international, will explore the main theme in a group exhibition, showcasing their work at Atelier Gardens (former BUFA). The multidisciplinary show is curated by Marina Paulenka (Director of Exhibitions at Fotografiska Berlin and former Artistic Director of Organ Vida and Unseen) and Thomas Schäfer (Exhibition Manager at Fotografiska Berlin), in collaboration with Lea Vene (Curator and Fashion Theoretician). With their practices operating at the intersection of fashion and photography, we are presenting the following artists: Julie Poly, Carlota Guerrero, and Mous Lamrabat, with more to be announced soon.

The Conference

As a part of Fotografiska Days, Fotografiska Berlin’s curatorial team is organizing a series of panel discussions, elaborating on the main theme––diving deeper into its sub-categories with the help of experts, moderators and speakers from the broad field of contemporary visual production. The conference will take place on Friday and Saturday (March 24 – 25), with details being announced soon.

Fotografiska Days further features educational formats developed by the same curatorial team, exploring the main concept. From a workshop held by a prominent figure on the contemporary photography scene, to speed dating portfolio reviews with selected experts–and all via an open call selection–the aim is to provide beneficial and enriching moments to the local cultural scene and its protagonists. 

Entertainment

Expanding on the main theme, Fotografiska Days offers additional entertainment formats: providing clusters of free space in between programming for local collectives, studios, and organizations. From film screenings to a closing party, the festival’s all-encompassing program appeals to broad and diverse audiences. 

For more informations visit Fotografiska.com.