A new exhibition in Venice, produced and sponsored by ANFAO, explores the history of Italian eyewear
Celebrating the story of eyewear, through art, design and innovation, the new exhibition, ‘The Lens of Time’ explores the history of spectacles and sunglasses in Italy, from the Middle Ages to the present day, with more than 150 original pieces and related materials on display. Curated by Fondazione Museo dell’Occhiale, in collaboration with Fondazione di Venezia and Fondazione M9 – Museo del ’900, the eyewear displayed has been sourced from three distinguished Italian collections – the Eyewear Museum of Pieve di Cadore, that of the Vascellari Family, and the Arte del Vedere Collection by Lucio Stramare. Above: ‘The Lens of Time’ at Palazzo Flangini in Venice
The exhibition also features a virtual tour of the famous eyewear museum in Pieve di Cadore and an interactive kiosk entitled “Timeless Frames” which allows visitors to experience a virtual try-on of some of the historic spectacles and sunglasses on display and share the images. Among art works featured are two contemporary works by the artist, Maurizio Paccagnella. The first, Trasparenze, is a sculptural piece that draws inspiration from the Cadore mountains – the heart of Italy’s eyewear production – and from the beauty of Murano and Venetian glass, in tribute to the lenses of the earliest spectacles. This installation was crafted using recycled acetate. The second, Sguardo nel Tempo, is described as “capturing the essence of looking through time”. Its undulating surface is a a nod to the Venetian lagoon – “reflecting the countless gazes of those who have worn glasses throughout history, weaving together the story of humanity with that of eyewear”. Below: The iconic Peggy sunglasses – Safilo, Italy – 1990 – Peggy Guggenheim originally commissioned her friend Edward Melcarth to design the oversized butterfly shape, https://www.eyestylist.com/2014/09/eyewear-and-an-avant-garde-art-collector/
Curated by architect Daniela Zambelli, Director of Fondazione Museo dell’Occhiale, and art historian Alessandra Cusinato, ‘The Lens of Time’ is part of the official programme for the National Made in Italy Day, sponsored by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, and is also included on the calendar of the 2025 Venezia Architecture Biennale.
‘The Lens of Time’ is open to the public (11am to 5pm) until 30th July 2025 at Palazzo Flangini – Cannaregio, Calle Flangini 252 – Venice. For more information: www.anfao.it
