The Mondial de l’Optique was held in Paris from September 23 to 26 with its cohort of exhibitors, opticians, manufacturers, editors, scientists or Meilleur Ouvrier de France, optical glass specialists or specialists in recycled frames… under the presidency of Amélie Morel. How technology can revolutionize the industry at 180°, from the concrete to the virtual, from the smart glasses to the metaverse, this was the question of this 56th edition which hosted for the first time the Optical Design 2022 Competition whose jury was chaired by Emmanuel Gallina.
Stimulating creation, being a springboard for the young generation, the jurors selected 7 projects which were prototyped and examined with regard to their design, creative and innovative dimension, use, function and feasibility. The optics of tomorrow are taking shape, from frames to lenses, connected or jewelry versions.
The young Italian Vincenzo Panico, from the Nuova Academia di Belli Arti in Milan, under the direction of Denis Santachiara, proposed the Googgless, jewel glasses to be worn to get rid of ADD, Internet Addiction Disorder, to be worn as a “medicine” to free oneself from the “screen disease”. Alessandro Battaini, also under the direction of Denis Santachiara, proposed the SI glasses, intended for people who after 40 years start to suffer from presbyopia, delivered as a digital file, to be reprinted in 3D in case of loss. Sessa Martina, under the direction of Tattoni Guido, proposed Sonder, a project designed for future generations of smart workers.
The designer Diego Sparta, proposed Knot, inclusive eyewear concerned with people suffering from arthritis, an autoimmune disease that affects small joints. Jocelyne Boisson from the Ecole Supérieure de Design des Landes in Mont-de-Marsan, proposed Percy, which questions the future of marine eco-systems and recycles plastic extracted from the oceans. With Oora, Silvana Migliozzi targets the Y and Z generations, constantly connected, offering them the possibility to take note of quotes or other compulsive research, thanks to a micro-camera integrated in the branches.
Finally, it is Adi Abramov, directed by Uri Samet, who by proposing Unfoldable, a sustainable and ecological concept, without hinges or screws, won the 10,000 euro Design Prize to be shared with his School, the Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art in Ramat Gan, Israel.
Silmo, an international trade show to be followed in November in Istanbul, in March 2023 in Copenhagen, in April in Singapore, Barcelona, Prague, Porto to return from September 29 to October 2, 2023 in Paris. A brand that travels.
Bénédicte Duhalde
