Temperature's drastic drop below zero has once more reminded us of an essential fact: humanities survival is dependent on fighting off the spreading chill with an extra portion of infectious warmth. We annually do so by finding reassurance in the always sunny, radiant world of artistically crafted characters. This method has proven to melt the ice, and the following newsletter will tell you why...

Truly, the least important problem caused by the recent disastrous climate events on the American east coast has been the necessity to postpone our 2012 Pictoplasma NYC conference. However, we will forever be thankful to our local partners and involved speakers, who have all immediately agreed to make the character celebration happen just as originally planned, with the same awesome line-up, in the same great venue, albeit with a safe, new date:

PICTOPLASMA NYC CONFERENCE: 8+9 FEBRUARY 2013

If you haven't yet booked your weekend of visual extravaganza, here's your second chance: a reasonable amount of full conference tickets is still available, while we look forward to welcome you in perfect health for an extraordinary celebration of great character achievements, with a dense, two day program of inspiring artist presentations, conference lectures, animation festival and performances!

We know this one from experience, and we're willing to share: Be it for yourself or as a present for your loved ones, for a limited time (until December the 7th) you can make sure that you're able to finance your heating bill AND enjoy a true avalanche of character stimulus, in many cases saving up to 50%!

INSANE REDUCTIONS AT OUR ONLINE OUTLET

Amongst the offers are our latest lovingly leather-bound Character Compendium, the Not A Toy publication on revolutionary garment and the complete 10 hour Characters in Motion DVD series - enough to make even the toughest brain melt! We even found a time capsule containing the last remaining, originally shrink-wrapped black Encyclopaedias from 2006! In times of thinning wallets and the dire need for stocking fillers this might be your jackpot: As long as you have electricity, information on all of the above will instantly illuminate your screen as soon as you click this link:publishing.pictoplasma.com

Fact is: it does get better! Spring 2013 promises sunshine, gentle breezes and ever-lasting enlightenment with the arrival of the next, big Über-Pictoplasma Berlin Festival, in the heart of city. Coming April 10 - 14 you have a blossoming bouquet of greatness to look forward to: An all new, immersive, full week program of awe inducing artist presentations, back-to-back conference lectures, fresh animation screenings, hands-on workshops, installations, endless character walk exhibitions, performances and of course, a multitude of top-notch characters!

FIRST SPEAKERS OF PICTOPLASMA BERLIN 2013 ANNOUNCED

First confirmed speakers and contributing artists promise a truly international line-up, including Jeff Soto (USA), highly famed west coast artist bridging the gap between Pop Surrealism and street art; Ted Parker (BE), draftsman of drugged dogs, drunk dolphins and disturbingly happy dot-dot-dash faces; Andrea Wan (HK), visual artist with a unique passion for other-worldly story telling; El Grand Chamaco (MX), whizz-kid talent that has only recently started to share his breathtaking work since the late arrival of Internet to his home-town; Olimpia Zagnoli (IT), it-girl illustrator with a passion for 60s flair and rockstar ambitions; LOW BROS (DE), gifted brother duo merging dimensions, layers and patterns to create their very own, recognizable character style; and many, many more…

Of course, happy thoughts and thinking pink alone will hardly be able to ensure your survival during these dark month. You'll also have to snap into action:
Head on over to berlin.pictoplasma.com, see the event's ingredients flourish and take a leap of faith at our limited Early Bird problem-free Festival offer!

Sending you sunshine as always,

peter and lars