A Celebration of Contemporary Craftsmanship: Inspiring Objects
by Alexandra Ivancenco Mas
In its third edition, Homo Faber 2024 promises an extraordinary exploration of human life through the lens of artisanal mastery. This immersive journey guides visitors through life’s most defining moments and its subtle, everyday simplicity, revealing the art of craftsmanship at its core. Each significant milestone will be honored by exquisitely handcrafted objects, created by master artisans utilizing time-honored techniques. From childhood to romance, from the thrill of travel to the power of dreams, Homo Faber 2024 will spotlight the craftsmanship that elevates the objects associated with life’s most cherished moments.
Under the visionary art direction of acclaimed filmmaker Luca Guadagnino and architect Nicolò Rosmarini, Homo Faber 2024 brings The Journey of Life, a concept devised by Hanneli Rupert, Vice Chair of the Michelangelo Foundation. A transformative narrative will unfold before your eyes as you walk the spaces curated as chapters of your own life. The setting, the Fondazione Giorgio Cini on Venice’s San Giorgio Maggiore island.
here the Cini Foundation and next Untitled by Artisan Peter Olson
Hanneli Rupert Simone Padovani
The stunning scenography of Homo Faber 2024 presents bespoke, handmade objects alongside live demonstrations by artisans, creating a fully immersive sensory experience. Inspired by ten overarching themes, each reflecting a different stage of life, the exhibition showcases hundreds of exemplary handcrafted pieces from artisans around the world. This showcase highlights the profound diversity of craftsmanship techniques and the innovative approaches that shape the field today. As you navigate this journey, you are drawn into your own memories and emotions, transforming the visit into a deeply personal introspection.
Engaging with artisans adds another dimension to the experience. You can participate in collective creations, such as the mesmerizing embroidery from the renowned atelier Lesage, and follow a Swiss watchmaker’s meticulous process step by step. Time seems to blur within the walls of the Fondazione Giorgio Cini, where past, present, and future merge. Birth and death, nature and technology, coexist in an intriguing dialogue, allowing your mind to drift toward dreams and surrealism.
Claire Lindner – courtesy of MAAB Gallery Milano
Claire Morgan studio, UK
Anna Volkova – Netherlands
Doll House – Susie Rogers and Kevin Mulvany
Beyond the boundaries of the Fondazione, Homo Faber in Città offers a fresh perspective on Venice, unveiling a hidden network of artisanal treasures throughout the city. In contrast to the fragile beauty of Venice’s historical structures, which are often overshadowed by mass tourism and cheap souvenir shops, many local artisans are now focusing on sustainability. These craftspeople are rethinking their practices, reducing their carbon footprint, and promoting responsible tourism in the city they cherish.
Innovative creations include Murano glassworks made from recycled waste, candles crafted from wax salvaged from Venetian churches, and glassware produced in energy-efficient furnaces. Artisans such as Michela Bortolozzi, Simona Iacovazzi, and Roberto Beltrami are leading this environmentally conscious movement. This initiative, developed in collaboration with the Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte, enriches Homo Faber’s mission to preserve and celebrate the cultural heritage of craftsmanship, particularly in Venice.
Venice’s artistic legacy is safeguarded by masters like Sergio Boldrin, Sofia Sarria and Riccardo Todesco, as well as foreign-born artisans who have made the city their home, including Muriel Balensi, Moulaye Niang, Diana Dethlefsen, and Nelson Kishi. These are just four of the 70 artisans who will open their workshops to the public as part of Homo Faber in Città, offering an immersive city-wide experience where visitors can discover Venice’s artisanal heart.
Homo Faber 2024: The Journey of Life, from 1 to 30 September in Venice. As the third edition of this biennial event, it continues the Michelangelo Foundation’s mission to celebrate contemporary craftsmanship on a global scale. This Swiss-based non-profit is dedicated to supporting craftspeople worldwide and fostering a more human, inclusive, and sustainable future.
The Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte, an institutional partner, plays a critical role in curating Homo Faber in Città. Based in Milan, the foundation is instrumental in promoting initiatives that protect and elevate artistic craftsmanship, with a focus on fostering a “new Renaissance” for these endangered arts. Meanwhile, Fondazione Giorgio Cini, established in 1951, stands as a bastion of cultural exchange, housing invaluable artistic and literary treasures. Its setting on San Giorgio Maggiore island in Venice makes it a fitting host for an event dedicated to the preservation and celebration of craftsmanship.
For more details, visit homofaber.com and learn about Fondazione Cologni at fondazionecologni.it.
The Blue MomenT & Lamp; Autumn Wind by Yuki Nishiyama
