Pradasphere II, an avant-garde public exhibition, marks a striking collaboration between Prada and the legendary electronic musician Richie Hawtin, known as Plastikman. This unique event is scheduled at the Start Museum in Shanghai from December 7, 2023, to January 21, 2024, tracing Prada’s evolution from its origins in 1913.
Richie Hawtin, a pivotal figure in the electronic music scene, has composed a series of exclusive soundscapes for Pradasphere II. This auditory journey, curated by Prada’s co-creative directors Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons and global design consultancy 2×4 New York, is designed to complement the intimate exploration of Prada’s history.
The exhibition, expanding on its successful first iteration in 2014, showcases over 400 artifacts, encompassing tangible and digital elements from Prada’s fashion archives. These pieces span multiple disciplines, including art, architecture, culture, and sport, offering an unprecedented glimpse into 110 years of the brand’s legacy.
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At the core of Pradasphere II, Richie Hawtin’s custom soundscapes provide an immersive auditory experience that evolves as visitors move through the exhibition space. This collaboration epitomizes the symbiotic relationship between Plastikman and Prada, highlighting their mutual passion for pushing the boundaries of creativity.
Discussing the collaboration, Hawtin said, “Collaborating with Prada is an exploration of the senses. Each soundscape is an hour-long, carefully constructed to harmonize with the visual elements, aiming for a seamless blend of sight and sound.” His involvement also includes working alongside Michael Rock and the 2×4 team, contributing to the exhibition’s creative vision.
Hawtin’s association with Prada started in 2021, crafting soundtracks for Prada’s online fashion shows. This partnership evolved into Prada Extends, a collaborative concept focusing on a diverse selection of emerging local talent in music and visuals, celebrating creative cultures in cities worldwide.
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Pradasphere II at the Start Museum, housed in the historically significant Nanpu Railway Station, offers visitors a deep dive into Prada’s multifaceted identity. The exhibition explores the brand’s craftsmanship, aesthetic contrasts, and continuous challenge to conventional luxury.
Richie Hawtin’s involvement in Pradasphere II is a confluence of his pioneering spirit in music and technology. Known for his influential role in the emergence of minimal techno and his innovations in music technology and digital retail platforms, Hawtin’s artistic vision aligns seamlessly with Prada’s ethos of innovation and luxury.
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Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
