The Art of Handmade: Homo Faber 2018, Crafting a More Human Future

When I recently heard about Homo Faber, the first major exhibition dedicated to European handmade craftsmanship and its link to design, I thought, hmmm that sounds interesting. Then I visited their website and was blown away by the agenda! I won’t be making it to this year’s exhibition which opened to the public on September 14th and will run through September 30th, but I have already put it on my calendar for 2019!

San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice. Source: Pixabay.

Held on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, one of the most beautiful locations in Venice, Homo Faber. Crafting a more human future will remind the public of the value of the human hand, celebrating the excellence of artisans all over Europe and the creativity of the designers who harness their incredible craftsmanship and the art of handmade.
Homo Faber is organized by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship, an international non-profit organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, which was set up by Franco Cologni and Johann Rupert to celebrate and preserve master craftsmanship around the world and strengthen its connection to design. Rooted in a tradition of culture and excellence and in the realities and challenges of today’s global economy, the Foundation aims to support those who dedicate themselves to the pursuit of master craftsmanship and to foster a new cultural movement built around the values that are essential for their work.
The Foundation focuses on Europe as a starting point for its activities, in recognition that craftsmanship has been a vital part of the economic and cultural fabric of the region for centuries, providing both a rich heritage and a competitive advantage in a global world.

Cartier, France. Glyptic art, gemstone sculpting. Using time-honored skills, the master carves semi-precious stones and ornamental gems to create miniature sculptures. From left: Emilie Marques, Pierre Rainero and artisan Philippe Nicolas, all from Cartier. Space designed by Jean Baptiste Auvray. Source: Photo by Tomas Bertelsen via Homo Faber.

Homo Faber 2018

An immersive experience, Homo Faber offers visitors an unprecedented opportunity to meet artisans and watch them work. Regular live demonstrations, practical workshops, a programme of lively talks and several evening concerts will bring visitors closer to craftsmanship and the art of handmade.
Each of its 16 exhibit spaces focuses on a different aspect of craftsmanship. They have been imagined by a world-class team of curators, architects and designers, including Italian architect Michele De Lucchi, London-based professor of fashion Judith Clark, gallerist Jean Blanchaert, acclaimed architect Stefano Boeri and Parisian interior designer India Mahdavi.
Be inspired by images from each section (we picked more from our favorites) and click on the images to learn more!

Centuries of Shape

See the evolution of design and its impact on craftsmanship and the decorative arts during the 20th and 21st centuries through a story told quietly and beautifully by a unique selection of iconic vases selected by the Triennale Design Museum team.

Overall view of Centuries of Shape exhibit.
Source: Photo by Alessandra Chemollo © Michelangelo Foundation via Homo Faber.
 

View of some of the vases exhibited in Centuries of Shape exhibit. From right to left: Tanega, designed by Marie-Claude Lalique & produced by Lalique; Vase, designed by Barbara Stehr; Série Élastique, Série Lisse, Série Écran, designed by Pierre Charpin & produced by CIRVA; Geology, designed by Ettore Sottsass Jr & produced by Alessio Sarri.
Source: Photo by François Wavre © Michelangelo Foundation via Homo Faber.
 

Discovery and Rediscovery

Discover the true meaning of luxury as you meet the talented artisans behind some of the world’s most deluxe creations. Selected by The Michelangelo Foundation.

Van Cleef & Arpels in the Discovery and Rediscovery exhibition. The Mystery Set. Gemstone cutting. To set gemstones in a way in which no fixings are visible – the so-called ‘Mystery Set™’– the master artisan creates tiny gold rails 0.2mm thick and cuts grooves into the gemstones by which they can be inserted on to the rails. Space designed by Jean Baptiste Auvray.
Source: Photo by Tomas Bertelsen © Michelangelo Foundation via Homo Faber.

Van Cleef & Arpels in the Discovery and Rediscovery exhibit. The Mystery Set. Gemstone Cutting.
Source: Photo by Tomas Bertelsen © Michelangelo Foundation via Homo Faber.

Cartier, France in Discovery and Rediscovery exhibit. Glyptic art, gemstone sculpting. Using time-honoured skills, the master carves semi-precious stones and ornamental gems to create miniature sculptures. Space designed by Jean Baptiste Auvray.
Source: Photo by Tomas Bertelsen © Michelangelo Foundation.

Duvelleroy, fan making in the Discovery and Rediscovery exhibit. The master fanmaker pleats every leaf in a mould and unites it to the frame by fixing the brins, or sticks, one by one in the centre of each pleat. Once mounted, the leaf is hand trimmed. Space designed by Jean Baptiste Auvray.
Source: Photo by Tomas Bertelsen © Michelangelo Foundation via Homo Faber.
 

 

Mesmerizing Embroidery

The House of Lesage exhibition tells the story of the alliance between traditional savoir-faire and artistic innovation, at the very heart of creation. Every season the embroiderer of art delights the fashion world with its innovations and handmade arts.

Mesmerizing Embroidery: Paris embroidery house Lesage presents an exhibit showcasing its unique know-how and expertise.
Source: Photo by Tomas Bertelsen © Michelangelo Foundation
 

Embroidery Workshop

As a tribute to Gabrielle Chanel’s trips to Venice, which from the 1920s became one of her favorite destinations as well as a principal source of inspiration, the House of Lesage is offering a participative embroidery workshop. On a cotton canvas more than two meters long is a 19th-century map of Venice as seen from the sky. Thanks to the two professional embroiderers present, you will have the chance to embroider a canal in grey-blue, the roof of a palace in ochre, or a part of a garden in cypress green… Together, visitors will collaborate on an immense and collective work.
Embroidery sessions last around 30 minutes and run throughout Homo Faber from 10am to 7pm every day.

Lesage Embroidery workshop. A map of Venice will be embroidered by visitors, with the help of master embroiderers from Lesage, during Homo Faber. Space designed by Jean Baptiste Auvray.
Source: Photo by Tomas Bertelsen © Michelangelo Foundation via Homo Faber.
 

Imaginary Architecture

Let yourself be taken by surprise as you venture into two innovative ‘follies’ where intricate artisanal techniques and gorgeous materials combine to create stunning interiors. Imagined by India Mahdavi.

Henri Rousseau Forever by India Mahdavi. Mosaic floor by Scuola Mosaicisti del Friuli; Rattan structure and chairs by Rattan Deco; Rattan masks by François Passolunghi.
Source: Photo by Tomas Bertelsen © Michelangelo Foundation.

Merry-Go-Round by India Mahdavi. Fish by De Gournay; fabric by Dedar Milano; carpet by Edition Bougainville®; upholstery by VI.MA.S of Vitri Pietro.
Source: Photo by Alessandra Chemollo © Michelangelo Foundation via Homo Faber.
 

Creativity and Craftsmanship

Find out what happens when eight extraordinary artisans encounter talented international designers. A dialogue between artisan-designer pairs who have worked together to create lasting objects of beauty especially for Homo Faber. Imagined by Michele de Lucchi.

Creativity and Craftsmanship exhibit. Left: Celeste Blue, designed by Piotr Sierakowski, produced by Andrzej Dobrowolanski & Jakub Przyborowski and painted by Pola Dwurnik, handmade cabinet with two doors and metal shelves. Right: Golden Cage (Gabbiadoro) designed by Martine Bedin and produced by Dominique Monié and Jean-Luc Cesses, gilded wood tower/pyramid-like sculpture.
Source: Photo by Alessandra Chemollo © Michelangelo Foundation via Homo Faber.
 

Best of Europe

Go on a journey through contemporary European craftsmanship and discover wonderful objects created by artist-artisans. Wander through a selection of over 300 objects including Spanish leatherwork, Italian ceramics, French porcelain, Irish basketmaking and German glassware. Imagined by Jean Blanchaert and Stefano Boeri.

Best Of Europe. Sala degli Arazzi. Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Venice.
Source: Photo by Fred Merz © Michelangelo Foundation.
 

Fashion Inside and Out

Take a brand new look at the world of high fashion and all that goes into it by diving into this spectacular exhibit, staged in a 1960s swimming pool, which blurs the lines between inside and out. Imagined by Judith Clark.

Fashion Inside and Out exhibit. Four mannequins in foreground: Dolce & Gabbana Women’s Collection, spring/summer 2013. Mannequin in the background and far right: Jacquemus, Santons de Provence Collection, spring/summer 2017.
Source: Photo by Alessandra Chemollo © Michelangelo Foundation.
 

Fashion Inside and Out, Chloé. Dress Look No.12 (right) Dress Look No. 11 (left), Natacha Ramsay-Levi for Chloé, spring/summer 2018.
Source: Photo by Marco Kesseler © Michelangelo Foundation.
 

 

Fondation Bettencourt Schueller

Highlights of the most stunning expression of French fine craftsmanship and handmade arts as seen through the programmes of the Fondation Bettencourt Schueller and, notably, its Liliane Bettencourt Prize pour l’intelligence de la main. Curated by Alain Lardet.

Views of the Fondation Bettencourt Schueller exhibition. “Sans titre” – 2015 by Cathy Chotard, laureate 2006, Prix Liliane Bettencourt “pour l’intelligence de la main”.
Source: Photo by François Wavre © Michelangelo Foundation.
 

Restoring Art’s Masters

Discover the science of restoration and witness the incredible perspective of master art restorers as you step into a workshop where expert artisans are breathing new life into works of art, both traditional and contemporary. Presented by Isabella Villafranca Soissons.

Restoring Arts Masters exhibit. In the foreground restoration of a work by Gaetano Pesce made from 1975 to 2005.
Source: Photo by Tomas Bertelsen © Michelangelo Foundation.
 

Singular Talents

Be transported through the medium of film into the most extraordinary workshops to discover some of today’s exceptional master artisans, whose craft is rare or unique. Three of the artisans are also presented in a virtual reality experience. Presented by The Michelangelo Foundation.

Singular Talents exhibit.
Source: Photo by Lola Moser © Michelangelo Foundation.
 

Workshop Exclusives

Step into a garage full of beauty to watch master artisans at work on the finer details of exclusive vehicles including cars, motorcycles, bicycles and even a helicopter! Imagined by Stefano Micelli.

Workshop Exclusives exhibit. Motorbike: David Borras, aka, El Solitario, Building motorbikes Helicopter: by Konner S.R.L, Sergio Bortoluz, Helicopter building Car: Ferrari, Bonini Garage, Carlo Bonini.
Source: Photo by Marco Kesseler © Michelangelo Foundation
 

Eilean

Welcome aboard “Eilean”, a legendary yacht entirely restored by a team of master artisans from the Cantiere Francesco Del Carlo di Viareggio, and witness the care, skill and passion that goes into yacht restoration. Presented by Officine Panerai.

Eilean, a 1936 Scottish-built yacht restored by Italian master artisans, sailing in Venice, 14 September 2018.
Source: Photo by Tomas Bertelsen © Michelangelo Foundation
 

Doppia Firma

Discover the 2018 edition of Double Signature, a project of the Fondazione Cologni dei Mestiere d’Arte and Living Corriere della Sera. Its 13 collaborative works have been created by international designers working for the first time with Venetian master artisans. Presented by The Michelangelo Foundation.

Doppia Firma exhibit. Foreground: Nebbia Collection (Fog collection), designed by Laetitia De Allegri and Matteo Fogale and produced by Andrea Zilio. Background: Modular type & typographic modules, designed by Erik Spiekermann and produced by Silvio Antiga.
Source: Photo by Alessandra Chemollo © Michelangelo Foundation
 

Natural Talent

Enter a forest of talent to view this highly original collection designed by the students of Creative Academy under the guidance of EligoStudio, and realised by Giordano Viganò and Torneria Meloni, master artisans of handmade marquetry and wood turning. Presented by Creative Academy.

Natural Talent exhibit.
Source: Photo by Alessandra Chemollo © Michelangelo Foundation.
 

Venetian Way

Susanna Pozzoli’s poetry in pictures takes you behind the scenes and into the heart of the workshops of 21 master artisans in Venice and the Veneto region. Feel the spirit of creation entwined in glass, ceramics, lace-making, brocade and more. Imagined by Susanna Pozzoli with Denis Curtis.

Venetian Way exhibit.
Source: Photo by Alessandra Chemôllo © Michelangelo Foundation.
 

Poetry of Wood

Discover the fine craftsmanship and handmade skills of the Italian master artisans of Bottega Ghianda, who use their expert knowledge of wood to interpret the vision of designers in the very best way, resulting in exquisite wooden objects that epitomise the value of handmade. Presented by Bottega Ghianda.

Poetry of Wood exhibit.
Source: Photo by Lola Moser © Michelangelo Foundation.
 
Homo Faber is open daily from 10am to 7pm until 30th September. Entry is free upon registration at homofaberevent.com.
 
All images and content provided by Homo Faber.
 

Love Italian craftsmanship? Check out our article The Allure of Made in Italy from Volume 2 of Love Happens in print!