Last week we announced the six finalists for our Arts Factory initiative made in partnership with Rabanne. Inspired by Rabanne’s six-decade-long history of intertwining art with a mission to foster a visionary, inclusive future, the project invited undiscovered digital image-makers a chance to  ‘visualise new realities’.

"Art has always been at the heart of the Rabanne DNA,“ explains Vincent Thilloy, CBO of Rabanne, discussing the Arts Factory. “This project builds on that legacy by celebrating and empowering a new way of creating imagery in the digital space. In doing so, it will both pay homage to and reinvent the brand’s heritage.“

To kickstart the next stage of the program, we hosted an insightful panel titled ‘The Rabanne Arts Factory: Opening Spaces for New Imagery’ at the Art Basel fair in Basel. 

Moderated by the director of Art Basel Paris, Clément Delépine, the panel featured Dazed Media Co-Founder Jefferson Hack and Artistic Director of Rabanne, Julien Dossena. During the talk, the panel discussed how the heart of the Arts Factory honours Paco Rabanne’s life philosophy regarding supporting up-and-coming creatives. 

Throughout the panel, both Hack and Dossena shared everything from how the project came about, what they looked for in the submissions, what makes some work stand out from the rest, and what it means to be a successful and critical curator. 

Hack also introduced the finalists, giving audiences an insight into each artist's specialities and backgrounds. Fluent in many different software and platforms, each finalist’s submission expressed innovative means of creating empowering imagery using digital. 

The final winner, to be announced in the fall, would receive comprehensive support, including mentoring from Rabanne executives, visibility, and financial assistance for their work. What’s more the opportunity will also end with a full circle moment with the winning opportunity to have work exhibited at Art Basel Miami Beach in December.

Check out the highlights in the video below. 

Head here to find out more and visit our hub here to stay updated on all things Art Factory.