Clarity in the Blur
How do you see the world?
It’s a big question with several sub-questions inside it: “How do you see?” “Who are you?” “What does the world mean to you?”
Growing up in a family of opticians and being a trained optometrist myself, the literal meaning of seeing was always present in my life. You quickly learn how crucial glasses or contact lenses are for so many people. There can be a dependency not only on the device but also on the optician or eye doctor. Over time, this can create a relationship rooted in trust and understanding for each other.
On a more abstract, philosophical level, I’ve often asked myself: How do I see the world, and who am I in it? What signals am I sending through what I say, how I look, and what I stand for? How do product creation and consumption connect to the worldview and values we carry?
Both questions — the literal/medical and the abstract/philosophical — became the foundation of our second exhibition in Arles during the Les Rencontres d’Arles photo festival. After last year’s Black Forest .I, we wanted to return to continue telling our story and connecting with curious people from around the world.
Last year’s show, which focused on buffalo horn, the material my father has been working with for over 30 years in the Black Forest, Germany, had an obvious connection to our eyewear. This year’s theme, MYOPIA, felt less direct at first.
But after just a few visitors, I realized that MYOPIA was the perfect extension of Black Forest .I — because it is personal to us, it holds meaning. By telling our story in an honest, sometimes vulnerable way, we created conversations we could never have imagined. Many people asked the same questions we had; many others shared deeply personal stories about their vision. The exhibition became less about being a family business or making eyewear, and more about something universal: how we see the world.
Of course, there were questions: “Why did you curate this exhibition?” “What is behind all of this?”
And the answer was simple. When we shared who we are, people connected with the idea and with us. They saw the photography, the materials we used, the book we launched, and ultimately, they saw us: the people who welcomed them into a space to reflect on how they see the world.
For a recap, images, or details about the book, please feel free to contact me.
jonasschwaer.com