OPEN E.A.R.: REFREE 2.0
Same friend, new frame
Working again with Raül Refree wasn’t something we had to overthink. After the first Open E.A.R. project together when we created his own WI.DE., it just made sense to revisit it, especially now that we’ve introduced the new OPEN U.P.|U.P.PER. 2.0.
A new frame always shifts things a bit, even if it’s subtle, and this felt like the right moment to see how the idea could evolve. The new frames have more real-state on the tubes, so it offers a clean base that lets the artwork work better. Some of our friends and customers wanted to use one of Refree's designs, but they were waiting for the new frames. So here we go!
A process that stays OPEN
Refree approached this the same way he approaches music, without trying to lock things into one direction. If you know him, you know he doesn't really stay in one lane: flamenco, experimental, production...it all blends together, and makes sense.
Sergio at "Scolors" worked again his magic on another design chosen by Refree for his new U.P. 2.0, becoming a second artist himself, joining this collaboration
One thing that continues from the first edition is the set of original designs. For the initial Open E.A.R. with Refree, we offered created 14 unique designs (derived from his soundtrack "El Espacio Entre", designed by Folch Estudio), each meant to be used only once. Some of those are still available, and now they can also be applied to the new U.P.(PER.) 2.0 frames. Once a design is used, it doesn’t come back, so what’s left now is essentially what’s still open from that first chapter, just on a new canvas.
More than just the object
The music is still the core part of OPEN E.A.R. Each bike is connected to an exclusive piece created by Refree for this project, embedded on a QR code painted on the frame. It doesn’t exist anywhere else, and access stays with the bike itself. It’s a simple idea, but it changes how you relate to it.
It’s not something you’ll find on streaming platforms. The access lives with the bike itself, creating a more direct and private link between the owner and the piece.
Like before, this is still a limited run (1 bike per design), and 100% of the profits go to a non-profit chosen by Refree, "NASCO Feeding Minds", a non-profit NGO that promotes access to information and training for people in Ghana, Africa.
If you are interested in getting an OPEN with one of these remaining designs, how it works is:
1. You choose the design of your choice (if still available, every design is sold only once so truly unique)
2. You decide which models you would like to get this design made on. So you have total freedom in the model and size you are getting with your chosen design.
3. Fee for each design is EUR 1.000 and 100% of these fees will go to Refree's chose charity, and the actual cost of custom painting the frame is covered by OPEN.
4. You contact Andy at andy@opencycle.com and let him know which design and which model/size you'd like, and he arranges the paperwork.
Enough talking. Here's a few photos from Refree's ride on his new and freshly painted U.P. 2.0 bike in the beautiful Penedés area, 30 minutes outside Barcelona, click on the images to go full screen and enjoy!
And for those asking, we added the available designs at the end of the GALLERY as well:
Great…but where is the link to the designs?
The remaining available REFREE designs are now at the end of the gallery