Opening Night in Venice: A Portal to the Imagination On a rainy evening in Venice, multimedia artist Marco Brambilla unveiled his latest exhibit—“Altered States”—within Golden Goose’s Haus, a creative hub and archive located beside the brand’s headquarters in the industrial district of Marghera. The exhibit opened not only a new artistic chapter but also a portal to an immersive dreamworld where art and fashion intertwine.
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Journey Through Golden Goose’s Creative Sanctuary
Guests began their journey through two distinct buildings: one housing a bustling sneaker atelier and the other an innovative design laboratory. A stark, shallow pool greeted visitors, flanked by a giant screen featuring clips of film characters reacting to movies, setting the tone for an exploration of perception and subconscious thought.
Deeper inside, a labyrinth of tunnels and dark screening rooms awaited, filled with spliced video clips and sound waves that stimulated the senses. The installation aimed to delve into the synergies between dreams and the subconscious mind. The culmination of the exhibit was a massive screen set within a hangar, backed by Golden Goose’s 25-year archive—its facade styled like the exterior of a home, blurring boundaries between public space and intimate memory.
“Altered States”: A Dream of Connection
Walking through “Altered States” felt like traveling through a portal into a realm where art and fashion playfully and unexpectedly converge. Brambilla described his work as an effort to “create synergies that seemingly don’t exist,” emphasizing that the exhibition was about “the idea that we can connect through our dreams.”
Curating a Genuine Artistic Collaboration
The project’s curators, Jérôme Sans and Golden Goose CEO Silvio Campara, highlighted the importance of nurturing authentic connections between artists and fashion brands. Sans emphasized their intent to “create a real exhibition,” avoiding anything “corporate” or superficial. Campara echoed this vision, noting that “Altered States” perfectly aligns with Golden Goose’s ethos—a brand rooted in imagination and collective creativity cultivated over 25 years in Marghera.
“Dreams happen inside, but it’s also powerful when they happen on the outside, as a part of a collective,” Campara explained, underscoring the brand’s philosophy.
Crafting Dreams: The Art of Innovation at Golden Goose
At the heart of Golden Goose lies a commitment to imagination and innovation. Inside the pristine shoe atelier, artisans—wearing “Dream Makers” lab coats—meticulously handcraft custom sneakers for a global clientele. The brand’s archive reveals a rich history of collaborative creativity. Founders Francesca Rinaldo and Alessandro Gallo’s journey began with their travels across America’s Southwest and California, particularly Venice Beach, where skate culture inspired them to upcycle vintage clothing into new, distressed sneakers and iconic boots.
This painstaking dedication to craftsmanship and style helped Golden Goose become a cult favorite among fashion enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.
The World of Golden Goose: From Marghera to Venice and Beyond
Today, Golden Goose operates 180 stores globally, each echoing the spirit and aesthetic of the Marghera Haus and headquarters. Their Venice Venice hotel, located on the main island, features exclusive store concepts and rotating art exhibitions housed in a historic palazzo near the Rialto Bridge. Every element—from décor to merchandising to art programming—circles back to the original dreams and creative vision of Rinaldo and Gallo.
Golden Goose’s success as an independent brand lies in its mastery of world-building and its dedication to fostering authentic creative collaborations. When art and fashion meet in such a genuine and inspired way, the possibilities truly are limitless.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “Altered States” exhibition?
“Altered States” is a multimedia art exhibition by artist Marco Brambilla, hosted at Golden Goose’s Haus in Marghera, Venice. The installation explores the synergies between dreams, the subconscious, and collective creativity using immersive video, soundscapes, and spatial design.
Where is the exhibition located?
The exhibition takes place inside Golden Goose’s Haus, a creative hub adjacent to the brand’s headquarters in Marghera, an industrial district near Venice, Italy.
Who curated the exhibition?
The exhibit was curated by internationally renowned curator Jérôme Sans in collaboration with Golden Goose’s CEO, Silvio Campara.
What is the concept behind the exhibition?
The exhibition explores the idea of creating emotional and sensory connections through shared dreams. It blends art and fashion to transport visitors through a surreal, immersive experience that challenges the boundaries between reality, memory, and imagination.
Is the exhibition open to the public?
Yes, following the private opening, “Altered States” is open to the public on select dates. Visitors can check Golden Goose’s official website or local listings for details on admission and scheduling.
What makes Golden Goose’s Haus unique?
Golden Goose’s Haus serves as a hybrid space—part creative studio, part archive, and part experiential showroom. It includes a working sneaker atelier, an experimental design lab, and exhibition spaces designed to foster collaboration between artisans, designers, and artists.
Conclusion
Golden Goose’s collaboration with Marco Brambilla for the “Altered States” exhibition is more than a creative showcase—it’s a testament to the brand’s deep-rooted philosophy of imagination, craftsmanship, and collective dreaming. By transforming its Marghera Haus into an immersive art experience, Golden Goose reinforces its identity as not just a fashion label, but a cultural movement.
As the brand celebrates 25 years of visionary storytelling, it continues to blur boundaries between art and fashion, offering a glimpse into a future where creativity knows no limits.
