Vicenzaoro Highlights, January 2024: Anatomy of A Success

Giulia Noascone and Asia Roccazzella are the winners nominated by the jury of experts, of the contest promoted by Progold, a Vicenza- based company specializing in 3D printing, in collaboration with Bulgari and Platinum Guild International, which concluded on Sunday evening with the awards ceremony here at Vicenzaoro. Selected from more than 150 projects from the best design schools in the world, Giulia and Asia - respectively from the IED European Institute of Design in Turin and LAO Le Arti Orafe of Florence - are examples of how the Boutique Show has increasingly become a place for the training, growth and selection of future generations of “workers” and creative artists, a theme that is very dear to IEG Italian Exhibition Group, institutions and companies that, edition after edition, have proposed numerous initiatives to this regard. One example of this was yesterday, which saw the proclamation of even more new talents: those selected by the jury of the “Mauro Baschirotto” Prize for Scientific Research and the “Jewel of the Pharoah” Design Competition organized in collaboration with LabiGem. In the first case, the proposed mission was to design a ring inspired by DNA’s double helix, a decidedly unusual subject for the sector due to the “Mauro Baschirotto” Rare Disease Foundation’s involvement, which has been supporting similar events for the past 12 years to raise funds and awareness for scientific research, especially among young people. Of all the participants, Valentina Scarselli, from the Art High School in Porta Romana and Sesto Fiorentino in Florence, was awarded the prize yesterday in the Palladio Theatre. Not without betraying some emotion, she described her creation as the result of combining the helical shape of DNA with elements reminiscent of the details of a microchip, thus alluding to the ideal union between the perfection of human nature, technology and artificial intelligence. The same emotions and dynamics characterized yesterday's closing event, “The Jewel of the Pharoah", a competition promoted by Labigem – Italian Gemology Laboratory, with the patronage of the Vicenza Chamber of Commerce. An extraordinary occasion for all the young participants, but above all for the eight finalists, who presented an original interpretation of the competition’s theme centered on the design of a contemporary jewel inspired by Tutankhamen's treasure and Ancient Egypt. Indeed, engaging with experts and sharing the vision and inspiration behind one's work in order to give it shape, thanks to the support of leading companies in the Vicenza goldsmith district, and finally exhibiting it to such a wide and competent audience, is not something that happens every day. Therefore, Vicenzaoro spotlights those who will take the sector forward tomorrow, bringing in new ideas and energies capable of incorporating previously unthinkable technologies and production methods into the system. The potential of the world's longest-running trade show as a training and information hub, as well as a business hub, can also be seen by browsing through the abundant calendar of talks and events that filled these five days. And since the January edition now sees the customary combination of VO Vintage and Time - the B2C and B2B formats respectively dedicated to vintage and contemporary watchmaking - ample space was given to timepieces with a respectably regal audience. One of the most interesting talks was held by Ugo Pancani, professor of mechanical and electronic watchmaking and trainer at Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, who brought to light shocking data on counterfeiting, an industry that, according to figures from the Swiss watch industry federation, can produce more than 45 million pieces a year compared to 25 million originals, a damage to the industry with serious economic and reputational consequences for companies, as well as a timebomb of problems linked to local and international crime. Moments of debate that can only stimulate reflection on how to interpret the great changes taking place in the entire gold, jewelry and watchmaking industry, perfectly summarized by the claim of this historic edition, “The Heritage for Tomorrow”. See you in September with the first chapter of this new decade of challenges.