The fourth edition of Homo Faber, a showcase of arts and crafts, has returned to the island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice, with a theme of ‘An Island of Light’. This narrative weaves together light, materials, talent, and creativity, set amongst the magnificent halls and gardens of the Giorgio Cini Foundation.
The event is organised by the Giorgio Cini Foundation, alongside the Cologni Foundation for the Arts and Crafts, and curated by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship. Es Devlin, a British artist and designer, has organised over 700 works across 15 installations, each characterised by interplays of light, water, reflections, movement, and sound.
Es Devlin‘s aim is to offer a new perspective, allowing visitors to explore the origins of objects, the hands that made them, and the situations and places in which they were created. This is the purpose of Homo Faber: a space to explore the arts and crafts, learn their language, and be inspired by the creativity of making.
The Exhibition
The exhibition features over 500 craftspeople from around the world, each a guardian of ancient techniques and knowledge, reinterpreted in a variety of forms that blend tradition, innovation, contemporary art, and experimentalism. The event extends across the lagoon with ‘Homo Faber in Città’, a series of events and exhibitions showcasing the city’s rich heritage of craftsmanship.
Casa Sanlorenzo Exhibition
Part of the project is Casa Sanlorenzo, which opens with a series of two exhibitions curated by Sanlorenzo Arts. One of the exhibitions, ‘Ca’ Riflesso by Artemest‘, recreates the imaginary home of a discerning collector, where furniture, lighting, decorative objects, and works of art by over 40 Italian artisans blend into a domestic narrative.
Notable Exhibitions
Standing out in the Foundation’s garden is the work Rivivo – a sculpture designed in 2010 by Estúdio Campana and created by Venini. The city’s exhibition circuit includes the first solo exhibition in Venice by the Swiss artist and designer Armand Louis, co-founder of Atelier Oï, entitled “Dallo Sguardo Al Segno“.
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In the Palladian Cenacolo, one of the most significant spaces at the Giorgio Cini Foundation, ‘A Feast of Light‘ is on display. The installation spans the majestic hall with a vertical beam of light that brings to life a collection of white objects made of porcelain, glass, fabric, and paper, arranged on the reflective surface of an enormous illuminated table.
Centre Stage
Fornasetti also takes centre stage at Homo Faber with a new interpretation of the ‘Mani e Farfalle‘ vase, originally designed by Piero Fornasetti in 1940 and crafted by Barabini Specchi Veneziani with hand-engraved details. Barnaba Fornasetti, Artistic Director of the Atelier, revisits the archive design, now emphasising its visual lightness.
Rediscovering Authenticity
Hanneli Rupert, executive vice-president of the Michelangelo Foundation, states that many are rediscovering the pleasure of authenticity and deeper values in an age where technology is capable of generating images, synthesising voices and reproducing forms with astonishing results. The event showcases the city’s rich heritage of craftsmanship, with 130 artisan workshops across the city of Venice open to the public free of charge throughout the month of September.
The combination of traditional craftsmanship and innovative designs creates a unique experience for visitors, allowing them to explore the world of arts and crafts in a new and immersive way. Es Devlin explains that her aim is to offer a new perspective, and it is clear that Homo Faber 2026 has achieved this goal, providing a platform for craftspeople to showcase their skills and creativity.
They have organised the event to highlight the importance of traditional craftsmanship in modern times. The event is a celebration of the arts and crafts, and it provides a unique opportunity for visitors to learn about the craftsmanship and creativity that goes into creating these objects.
The city’s rich heritage of craftsmanship is on full display during the event, with many artisans showcasing their skills and creativity. The event is a must-visit for anyone interested in the arts and crafts, and it provides a unique and immersive experience for visitors.
The Giorgio Cini Foundation is the perfect venue for the event, with its magnificent halls and gardens providing a beautiful backdrop for the exhibitions. The foundation is dedicated to promoting the arts and crafts, and it is clear that they have put a lot of effort into organising the event.
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Event Success and Legacy
The event has been a huge success, with many visitors attending the exhibitions and events. The combination of traditional craftsmanship and innovative designs has created a unique and immersive experience for visitors, and it is clear that the event has achieved its goal of providing a platform for craftspeople to showcase their skills and creativity.
The event will continue to run throughout the month of September, with many events and exhibitions still to come. Visitors can expect to see a wide range of traditional craftsmanship and innovative designs, and the event is a must-visit for anyone interested in the arts and crafts.
The Michelangelo Foundation is also playing a key role in the event, with Hanneli Rupert stating that the foundation is dedicated to promoting the arts and crafts. The foundation is working closely with the Giorgio Cini Foundation to ensure that the event is a success, and it is clear that they are committed to providing a platform for craftspeople to showcase their skills and creativity.
Overall, the event is a huge success, and it is clear that it has achieved its goal of providing a platform for craftspeople to showcase their skills and creativity. The combination of traditional craftsmanship and innovative designs has created a unique and immersive experience for visitors, and the event is a must-visit for anyone interested in the arts and crafts.
The event is set to continue until the end of September, and visitors can expect to see a wide range of traditional craftsmanship and innovative designs. The Giorgio Cini Foundation and the Michelangelo Foundation are working closely together to ensure that the event is a success, and it is clear that they are committed to providing a platform for craftspeople to showcase their skills and creativity.
As the event comes to a close, it is clear that it has been a huge success. The combination of traditional craftsmanship and innovative designs has created a unique and immersive experience for visitors, and the event has provided a platform for craftspeople to showcase their skills and creativity. The Giorgio Cini Foundation and the Michelangelo Foundation have worked closely together to ensure that the event is a success, and it is clear that they are committed to promoting the arts and crafts.
