Be Open think tank

#BeOpenDESIGN Crafted from white ceramic, the water filter by Brasil-based studio Estúdio Biologique retains the original filtration system while ensuring a clean taste, easy maintenance, and mold resistance. Its design features two rounded forms stacked atop a wooden base, complemented by a sleek, draft-beer-style faucet. Available in a range of colors and two sizes, the Biologique filter offers a contemporary alternative to conventional options, combining hand-crafted quality and a modern sensibility.

#BeOpenARCH Located in a private garden in Chile, Casa de Vidrio by architecture studio Max Núñez Arquitectos is a striking greenhouse designed to showcase plants while emphasizing the artificial nature of controlled environments. This 130-square-meter structure features a series of staircases that descend from a concrete-and-steel platform, allowing tropical plants to grow in a lower, more protected space. Two large vaulted ceilings provide ample height for the plants while refracting light to maintain a warm, indirect environment. The structure’s slender frame belies its robust, earthquake-resistant design, while transparent glass cladding blurs the lines between inside and out and creates a unique architectural experience.

#BeOpenDESIGN Rising collection by Central Saint Martins graduate Cindy Xinyi Wu transforms humble bread dough into sculptural jewelry, celebrating the act of baking and the dynamic nature of the material itself. Featuring rings, brooches, earrings, and necklaces, the collection showcases bread dough bulging from intricately designed metal frameworks that reference the actions of kneading and folding. These unique pieces are created by allowing the dough to rise and bake freely within the metal bands, then dehydrating it to preserve its form. Wu’s work elevates bread to a precious material, akin to gemstones, drawing inspiration from her personal connection with baking as both a calming retreat and a source of creative exploration.

#BeOpenDESIGN Michael Jantzen’s Space-Time Transformation Lamp is a fascinating exploration of form, light, and modularity. This unique lamp, available as a kit for self-assembly, allows users to customize its size, shape, color, and light intensity. Crafted from laser-cut birch plywood, the lamp is composed of rotated frames that create a visually striking, almost sculptural effect. The lamp’s layered design scatters light in multiple directions, creating an aesthetic ambiance that evokes the feeling of a “space-time continuum”.

#BeOpenDESIGN Moflin, a collaboration between Casio and Vanguard Industries, redefines robotic companionship by eschewing traditional animal forms for a simple, cuddly design. This furry robot isn’t trying to mimic a pet; instead, it focuses solely on providing comfort and joy with its dynamic, responsive presence. Unlike other robotic pets, Moflin doesn’t try to do tricks or follow commands, it simply offers a unique tactile and emotional connection with its movements, sounds, and AI-driven personality that evolves based on user interaction. Its charging base is also thoughtfully designed to resemble a cozy bed, demonstrating a commitment to creating an immersive and engaging user experience. Credits: moflin.com

#BeOpenDESIGN Maxwell Mustardo’s Anthropophorae series breathes new life into ancient Roman amphorae, reimagining them with a modern twist. Mustardo strips away the ornamentation and amplifies the inherent forms, cladding them in a vibrant, fuzzy PVC coating that invites touch. It’s a fascinating study in contrasts - the weight of history meeting the playful textures of the present. Mustardo transforms these vessels into thought-provoking objects that spark conversations about the evolution of design, material, and the stories objects can tell. Each piece is a unique exploration of form and material, offering a fresh perspective on the interplay between the past and present in design. More tactile art and design objects on blog.

#BeOpenDESIGN The Humane AI Pin represents a radical departure from traditional smartphone design, offering a screenless, wearable device that projects information onto the user’s palm. This innovative, AI-driven assistant operates via voice and gesture controls, utilizing technologies like OpenAI’s ChatGPT to manage tasks and access information. The device prioritizes user privacy with a “Trust Light” indicator, while its focus on hands-free, contextual interaction suggests a future where technology seamlessly integrates into our lives, moving beyond the static screen and towards a more intuitive and embodied user experience. More AI devices moving beyond the traditional smartphone on our blog.

#BeOpenARCH French architect Philippe Starck has designed a striking red cube for the LA Almaraza olive oil mill, museum, and restaurant in Andalusia, aiming to boost oleotourism in the region. Surrounded by olive groves, the monolithic structure is adorned with large symbols, including a bull’s horn and a carved eye, referencing the area’s heritage and connection to surrealism. Starck aimed for an “out-of-the-ordinary” design, creating a bold, somewhat surreal presence in the landscape, reflecting the “magic and poetry” of Andalusia.

#BeOpenNEWS BE OPEN Art is thrilled to announce that Imile Wepener, the talented artist and illustrator from Johannesburg, South Africa, has been crowned Artist of the Year 2024! Imile, who was previously voted Artist of the Month in April, has won the title by securing the majority of votes from art enthusiasts around the world. As the recipient of this prestigious title, Imile will be awarded €1000 for his exceptional work, which blends magic and creativity in captivating ways. In addition to this exciting win, BE OPEN Art is proud to announce a new initiative starting in 2024: monthly grants for all Artist of the Month winners, made possible by the newly launched Community Support Fund. The lucky recipients will be Dora Prévost, Lisa Einkemmer, Brian Connolly, Imile Wepener, Aigerim Asanbekova, Esinulo Chiamaka Praise, S.M.Khayyam, Amy Lewis, Akindele John, Ahsan Memon, Julia Bartolini and Yibei Liu. Congratulations to all the featured artists, and thank you to everyone who voted throughout the year!

#BeOpenARCH Inspired by the delicate forms of pencil shavings, a Sri Lankan 3D architectural visualizer Thilina Liyanage has designed a yoga deck with a roof, crafted from curved wood and bamboo, that mimics the iconic spirals while providing shade. Woven cane walls offer a traditional jaali aesthetic, allowing breezes to naturally cool the space. This design fosters a connection with nature through the use of sustainable materials, enhancing the yoga experience with its serene atmosphere and seamless integration into the surrounding landscape, highlighted by soft, recessed lighting for evening use, embodying the philosophy of resilience and balance.

#BeOpenDESIGN Jean-Michel Rochette’s Prima shoe offers an innovative solution for individuals with degenerative joint disease or arthritis, simplifying the often-challenging task of putting on shoes. The no-lace, slip-on design features a swivel mechanism and integrated shoehorn, allowing for effortless entry without bending or struggling with traditional fasteners. Elastic bands provide adjustable support, enabling users to tilt the shoe and easily slide their foot inside. This thoughtful design addresses the lack of accessible footwear for those with motor difficulties, promoting independence and easing the physical strain associated with shoe-wearing.

#BeOpenDESIGN Morrama is pioneering a new approach to children’s mental health with their “Mindful AI Tools,” a concept series designed to support children aged 6+ through emotional regulation, creativity, and connection. This collection of four playful devices—Calm, Comfort, Connect, and Create—uses data-driven insights from motion and physiological sensors to personalize each child’s experience. By combining a fidget spinner-like sensor, a personalized projector, an AI sunflower companion, and a generative coloring book, Morrama redefines technology’s role in childhood development, demonstrating how design can bring joy and foster well-being in the home through engaging and thoughtful interfaces, all while prompting conversations about how to best care for our children. More intriguing AI-powered devices on our blog.

#BeOpenNEWS #BeOpenART BE OPEN Art is excited to announce Yibei Liu, a London-based figurative sculptor, as the Artist of the Month for December 2024, as voted by visitors of art.beopenfuture.com. Each month, art lovers globally choose an artist whose work most captures their attention. Liu, whose sculptures delve into the intricacies of human emotion and mental health, was the final artist selected for this distinction in 2024. Her work, created using clay and metal, seeks to make visible the often-unseen aspects of our internal worlds. In the near future, we will be selecting the Artist of the Year, who will be awarded a 1000 euro prize and offered publicity aimed at boosting their career.

#BeOpenDESIGN Wearable tech brand VTouch presents the WIZPR Ring, a smart device that allows for whisper-activated control of AI assistants, streamlining tasks and communications. This stylish accessory combines advanced AI capabilities with a focus on user privacy, offering a unique and seamless way to interact with digital assistants. The ring's close-range activation and background noise filtering ensures privacy, making it suitable for use in various environments. Beyond basic commands, the ring also facilitates intimate conversations with AI, delivering responses in an ASMR-like manner for a personal and immersive experience. More smart rings on our blog.

#BeOpenNEWS #BeOpenART BE OPEN Art has concluded its 2024 Regional Art competition for Southern Africa (Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe), celebrating emerging artists who best represent their regional identities. Aislinn Finnegan, a mixed-media artist focusing on race, identity, and femininity, has been named the Artist of the Region and will receive a €500 grant from the foundation. This initiative by BE OPEN highlights the organization’s commitment to supporting artists and their cultural narratives through global platforms. Congratulations to Aislinn on this achievement!

#BeOpenDESIGNMichael Jantzen’s @michael.jantzen22 Space-Time Transformation Lamp is a fascinating exploration of form, light, and modularity. This unique lamp, available as a kit for self-assembly, allows users to customize its size, shape, color, and light intensity. Crafted from laser-cut birch plywood, the lamp is composed of rotated frames that create a visually striking, almost sculptural effect. The lamp’s layered design scatters light in multiple directions, creating an aesthetic ambiance that evokes the feeling of a “space-time continuum”. Credits: michaeljantzen.com

#BeOpenDESIGN Moflin, a collaboration between Casio and Vanguard Industries, redefines robotic companionship by eschewing traditional animal forms for a simple, cuddly design. This furry robot isn’t trying to mimic a pet; instead, it focuses solely on providing comfort and joy with its dynamic, responsive presence. Unlike other robotic pets, Moflin doesn’t try to do tricks or follow commands, it simply offers a unique tactile and emotional connection with its movements, sounds, and AI-driven personality that evolves based on user interaction. Its charging base is also thoughtfully designed to resemble a cozy bed, demonstrating a commitment to creating an immersive and engaging user experience. Credits: moflin.com

#BeOpenDESIGN Designer Sammy Jobbins Wells’ “Skin” project explores the potential of bacterially produced cellulose as a wearable material. She cultivates the material from a kombucha culture, allowing Acetobacter bacteria to spin cellulose as a byproduct. This flexible, organic material is then stretched over laser-cut balsa wood frames, designed using a digital algorithm, to create a series of wearable objects that resemble skin stretched over bone. Influenced by historical animal-bone corsets, Jobbins Wells demonstrates the possibilities of this biomaterial: a unique leathery texture when dry, a remarkable ability to fuse and hold its form, and a captivating organic aesthetic when draped over intricate, digitally-designed structures.

#BeOpenNEWS We are thrilled to announce Natasha Mwila as the third winner of BE OPEN Art’s Regional Art competition! A 24-year-old digital mobile phone artist from Lusaka, Zambia, Natasha's powerful digital collage art explores the social and political complexities of life, with a focus on amplifying marginalized voices, especially women. Drawing on her background in Political Science, Natasha’s vibrant work challenges patriarchal narratives while celebrating the strength and resilience of African women. Natasha joins an incredible group of finalists, including Akissi Beukman, a Pretoria-based artist who was honored as our Regional Artist of the Month for October, and Aislinn Finnegan, a mixed-media artist celebrated in November. These talented artists are all competing for the coveted title of Artist of the Region, with the winner to be announced in January 2025, and a €500 prize up for grabs.

#BeOpenNEWS #BeOpenART The third year of BE OPEN Art's Regional Art competition kicks off in 2025 with a new stage focusing on South Asia! From January to March, we’ll spotlight emerging artists from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka, celebrating the unique artistic traditions of this vibrant region. Each month, 20 incredible artists will be featured in our online gallery, and the public will vote to choose the Regional Artist of the Month. At the end of the stage in April, the Regional Artist of the Year will be selected based on public votes and the BE OPEN Art community’s input, and will receive a €500 prize! We’re on the lookout for new influencers in the art world—and we invite YOU to be part of the journey! Stay tuned for the amazing artworks from South Asia, and get ready to vote for your favorite artists!