Countdown to Pictoplasma | 3rd – 8th May
The 12th Pictoplasma Festival is about to swing open its gates - the time has come to brace yourselves for full CHARACTER COLLISION!
At the heart of the Festival, the Conference invites a global scene of 700+ creatives and character connoisseurs to gather for 3 dense days of inspiring artist presentations, hands-on workshops, state of the art animation screenings, a fast-paced networking evening and numerous art happenings.
In its 12th Berlin edition, the Festival’s focus zooms away from the stereotypical dot-dot-dash reduction of facial empathy to take a surprising wider look at the characters’ overall stature: What does their appearance reveal about their attitude? How does their posture communicate personality – and enable them to SHOW CHARACTER?
CONFERENCE TALKS
The central Pictoplasma Conference presents 18+ key lectures by the world’s most influential artists and upcoming talents, cutting-edge graphic, toy and game designers and leading animation filmmakers.
It is the meeting point for 700+ international attendees, offering the chance to learn from and be inspired by some of today’s most innovative and avant-garde artists.
2016 speakers include visual artist Merijn Hos (NL), illustrator Ben Newman (UK) known for his frequent collaborations with No Brow, Berlin-based comic artist and illustrator Aisha Franz, Italian street artist Agostino Iacurci and Korean animation director, graphic designer and media artist Ju seo Ham, who is also responsible for this years opening titles.
Conference speaker: Cécile Dormeau (FR)
Conference speaker: Agnostino Iacuri (IT)
CHARACTER WALK
We’re super excited that our favourite Pictoplasma instalment – the CHARACTER WALK will return with a huge collection of 14+ project spaces, galleries and art venues throughout Mitte and Neukölln – all open from May 4-8, all free entry!
Since we first attended Pictoplasma back in 2006, the Character Walk has been one of the cornerstones of the festival, providing an unrivalled opportunity to discover and experience visual work by the conference speakers. The vast group show by the 3rd Pictoplasma Academy Alumni is also sure to impress, introducing the raw talent of their annual master-class and taking a fresh look at the upcoming faces of tomorrow.
Printed maps to help you navigate through this madness of character craftsmanship will be provided at all participating exhibition locations.
Presenting sculptures, paintings, art editions and multiples – many of them for the first time in Berlin, Character Walk exhibitiors include Martina Pauklova (SK), Merijn Hos (NL), Wilfred Wood (UK), Jan de Coster (BE), Julian Glander (USA), Aisha Franz (DE) KLUB7 Collective (DE), Italian visual artist Gio Pistone (IT).
Conference speaker: Aisha Franz (DE)
ANIMATION SCREENINGS
Kicking off the conference, daily ANIMATION SCREENINGS will present the very best of today’s characters in motion, with selected work ranging from stylish shorts all the way to highly bewildering psychedelia.
PICTOPLASMA TALENT MARKET
New for 2016, the Character Forum offers ticket holders the opportunity to get up close and personal with industry pros, presenting a fast-paced networking evening where conference attendees have the chance to present their personal character project or portfolio to industry-leading makers and shakers.
Inkygoodness & WE ARE GOODNESS director Lisa Hassell will join the panel alongside representatives from Hornet, Sony, LEGO and more.
WORKSHOPS, HAPPENINGS & PARTIES
Throughout the conference attendees have the opportunity to get involved in three immersive, remix and creature collage workshops with festival speakers Jan de Coster and Niels Kalk.
Thursday and Friday evening will present immersive art happenings and jam sessions turn the Villa Elisabeth into a visionary playground that all revolves around the central bar!
Finally, the festival will close with an incredible character-infused POST-PICTOPLASMA PARTY at Urban Spree!
A handful of tickets still remain – but be quick, they’re expecting to sell out very soon!