Australian Designer Connects to Landmark Building
25th October 2013 Eyestylist continues the series Eyewear Artisans and Architecture with Jono Hennessy and the building that inspires his eyewear designs “Down Under”.
“This is my favourite building because I knew the son of the architect of the Opera House – Jorn Utzon – we used to surf together at Palm Beach when were were kids, so there is a personal connection. The reason I love the building is that it was so out of place when it was built in the 1970’s. At that time, Australia was very conservative, so it was an unusual and fabulous structure to have been built. I drive past the Opera House every morning when I drop my son to school, and it inspires me every time I see it.
“There is an annual light exhibition in Sydney called Vivid – they light up the Opera House as well as other landmarks around the city – and this three-dimensional light show lights up the Opera House. It has re-energised the architecture for me. The building opened in 1973, and it is one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. I feel the Sydney Opera House is a Landmark Building, in Australia and worldwide. It inspires me that although we are tucked away at the bottom of the world, we can still create something that is appreciated everywhere.” www.jonohennessy.com JG
