Hello friends!
Welcome back to SIGNALS.
In this edition, we’re excited to share some big news: our work is currently being exhibited at the PhEST Festival in beautiful Apulia, Italy! We’ll reflect on what it means to collaborate as a duo and how this dynamic shapes our creative process. Plus, we’ll dive into why Acne Studios continues to be such an inspiration for us, having started with a background in graphic design, much like we did, before evolving into something entirely new.
Thank you for being part of our journey!
Love,
Nastassja & Christian
SERIES
SHOP
WHAT IS AND WHAT MIGHT BE, NO. 1
SERIFA X PhEST
We’re excited to share that our work is being exhibited at the PhEST Festival in Monopoli, Apulia! The exhibition, which has the theme “The Dream,” runs from August 30th to November 3rd, 2024. Monopoli, a stunning town along the Mediterranean, hosts this international photography and art festival, bringing together artists worldwide.
While we won’t be there in person this time, you can still view our artwork in the beautiful setting of the Palazzo Palmieri. We’ve visited Monopoli and love the town and the entire Apulia region. The mix of art, culture, and breathtaking landscapes makes this part of Italy a must-visit.
If you plan a trip to Apulia or are nearby, we highly recommend seeing our work in this inspiring context!
WORKING AS AN ARTIST DUO
Collaborating as an artist duo is a continuously evolving process that merges individual visions into a shared creative journey. One of the greatest strengths of this partnership is that we share a similar aesthetic, which allows us to align clearly on creative decisions. Our collaboration often unfolds through a dynamic exchange of ideas beyond what we could accomplish alone. Together, new possibilities emerge, fueled by the constant flow of mutual inspiration.
We both find inspiration every day and share it. This dialogue doesn’t end when the workday ends—it’s an ongoing exchange that shapes our art and lives. Remaining open and receptive to everyday impulses keeps this creative flow alive. For us, it's not just about creating art—it’s about seeing art as a path we are continuously walking.
Of course, collaboration has its challenges. It can be difficult to separate personal time from professional work, but these boundaries are fluid for us. By combining our strengths, we approach projects from different perspectives, enriching the art and the experience.
Working as a duo has taught us that the artistic journey is as much about the process as the outcome. The diversity we bring to our collaboration challenges us to grow personally and creatively as we continue along this shared path.
INSPIRATION
We’ve always been inspired by creative journeys that start in one field and naturally evolve into something new. Acne Studios is a perfect example of this transformation. Starting as a graphic design collective in Stockholm in 1996 under the name ACNE (Ambition to Create Novel Expressions), the group initially focused on visual communication, advertising, and film. Their unexpected venture into fashion began when they designed 100 pairs of jeans as part of a creative experiment. The overwhelming response pushed them to shift their focus entirely towards fashion.
Like Acne Studios, we also began our path as graphic designers; over time, our journey took us in a new, exciting direction. Acne Studios' story shows us how artistic vision can grow and adapt, leading to incredible opportunities.
Now a global name in fashion, Acne Studios is renowned for its minimalist yet avant-garde designs, combining clean aesthetics with artistic expression. Their evolution reminds us that creativity thrives on exploration and openness to new possibilities.
FEATURED
SANAA — They have designed houses, shops, offices, and educational buildings but have become best known worldwide for their museum and art gallery buildings.
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