2023 edition
The first and only edition of l’Œil du monde in Nantes came to a close on 23 April. For four weeks, more than 11,000 people came to Le Lieu Unique to discover an unprecedented exhibition, a reading space, a workshop and an exhibition space designed for visitors, especially for children, A space of freedom dreamed up by the L’Œil du monde association and designed by Claudie Robet, which came to life over a month. A place where, as we were told, “there’s always something to do”.
workshops
Following in the footsteps of the workshops devised by artists such as Bruno Munari and Katsumi Komagata, and in the spirit of Kindergarten learning through play and experimentation, l’œil du monde aims to promote a playful, open approach to creation, one driven by curiosity and the desire to express oneself.
In our workshops, there are neither teachers (to mimic) nor students. Armed with nothing other than their respective toolboxes and techniques, artists walk each child through the thought process, helping each to identify and ignite artistic aspirations, while gently prodding each to tread boldly towards that solo flight made possible via practice takes and take-offs.
Our workshops are led by artists whose only interest is that of each child, encouraging this young public to naturally mutate from readers to creators. Using the artists’ prism as a beacon, children can better identify with the creative book writing process and the joy that ensues from the sharing of this object passed down from one person to the next, making its way from one country to the next, just like l’œil du monde.
The International Pro Day
The International Pro Day “Publishing for Young People in a Time of Uniformity and Retrenchment: the Joyful Daring of Interculturalism!” conference at Le Lieu Unique in Nantes brought together 27 speakers, publishers from all over the world, librarians, artists and representatives of associations to take part in 6 round tables.
300 people from the book industry (authors, publishers, librarians, booksellers, mediators) took part in the event.
A look back at the festival in pictures
photos: Guillaume Kerhervé, œil du monde team and Kasra Alizadeh
What next?
The project continues, with three editions of l’Œil du monde to be held next year in Poland, Italy and the Czech Republic. Warsaw, Bologna and Tabor: three new events that will give pride of place to creative publishing and interculturality, bringing together publishing houses and libraries, authors and artists for a great moment of sharing with the public.