Shared Stories of Learning
UP CLOSE is a new live learning format by Freunde von Freunden, developed with curator Lukas Feireiss. Six remarkable people from different creative fields come together to share the experiences, encounters and lessons that shaped their lives and work. Through personal talks and an open conversation, UP CLOSE explores how we learn beyond the classroom from people, practice and life itself.
We believe the most meaningful learning happens between people, through shared stories, shared spaces, in encounters that matter.
Reserve your spot“UP CLOSE is about how creative knowledge travels, through people, practice, and the spaces we make to meet.”
Six Voices, Six Disciplines
In the fields of architecture, design, entrepreneurship, and music.
Serhat Işık
Fashion DesignerBuilding a fashion house from friendship and identity
Co-founder of the Berlin label GmbH, known for collections that confront identity and migration.
Serhat Işık on InstagramJoy Denalane
MusicianFinding a voice between cultures
One of Germany's defining soul voices, singing in German and English since the early 2000s.
Joy Denalane on InstagramSam Chermayeff
ArchitectRethinking how we live together
Runs his own studio in Berlin after years at SANAA in Tokyo, working on housing that resists the standard floor plan.
Sam Chermayeff on InstagramWana Limar
Cultural ProducerAdvocating for social and racial equality while entertaining and educating
Co-founder of the ethically conscious brand SEVAR.
Wana Limar on InstagramThomias Radin
ArtistUsing art as a spiritual and social practice
A multidisciplinary artist working across painting, performance, and furniture design, exhibiting at institutions including Esther Schipper.
Thomias Radin on InstagramLisa Jaspers
Entrepreneur & ActivistTurning values into business
Founder of Folkdays, working directly with artisan partners worldwide on a fairer supply chain.
Lisa Jaspers on Instagram
Program
- 18:00Doors
- 18:30Welcome & IntroductionTimmi Seifert & Lukas Feireiss
- 18:40Lisa JaspersEntrepreneur and Author
- 19:00Wana LimarCultural Producer
- 19:20Thomias RadinArtist
- 19:40Break
- 20:00Sam ChermayeffArchitect
- 20:20Serhat IşıkFashion Designer
- 20:40Joy DenalaneMusician
- 21:00Panel ConversationSam Chermayeff, Joy Denalane, Serhat Işık, Lisa Jaspers, Wana Limar & Thomias Radin, moderated by Lukas Feireiss
Thursday, October 8, 2026
6:00–10:00 PM · G02 Friends Space, Berlin-Kreuzberg
One culture of learning.
Dinner
A carefully curated, intimate conversation format for twelve selected creatives, focusing on personal perspectives and stories.
Arena
A dynamic public format for up to 150 guests, where six creative voices share their insights and a moderated conversation opens the exchange between the stage and the audience.
Masterclasses
In-depth live and digital learning formats that emerge from these encounters, making practical knowledge from creative practitioners accessible over time.
Fifteen years of dinners, studio visits and conversations: the community UP CLOSE brings into one room.
G02: modular loft for ideas, productions, and gatherings in Kreuzberg
Located in the creative core of Berlin-Kreuzberg, G02 is a modular, design-forward loft conceived and run by Freunde von Freunden. Designed in collaboration with architect Philipp Mainzer, the 350 sqm space merges contemporary architecture with multifunctional interiors.
- 350 sqm
- Glogauer Str. 2, Berlin-Kreuzberg
- Up to 150 guests
One of the leading global creative platforms for over 15 years: intimate portraits of the architects, artists, designers, musicians and chefs shaping contemporary culture. We believe in inspiration from human to human.
Lukas Feireiss is a Berlin-based curator, coach, and educator working across art, science, and holistic inquiry. He curates exhibitions, edits publications, and teaches internationally, while supporting creative and professional transformation through his coaching practice Cura Vision.
See you there.
Freunde von Freunden × Lukas Feireiss
In partnership with Ruinart · Vöslauer