Artisan Luis Mínguez Serrano at work © Alfonso Gómez
- Looking to discover Spain through new eyes?
- Searching for a one-of-a-kind bespoke handcrafted object?
- Curious to learn of Tomás Alía’s best kept addresses?
- Eager to discover the fantastical world of a leather mask maker?
- Would you like to have a go at woodturning or visit a weaving workshop?
Homo Faber Guide places the world of fine craftsmanship in Europe at your fingertips. Experience excellence with access to a selection of the best master artisans, rising talents, galleries, ateliers, manufacturers and museums from all over the continent. The guide is created in collaboration with the international network of the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship which provides local expertise, recommends, evaluates and endorses featured participants.
Rediscover Spain in a new light, revisiting your favourite places, enriched by new encounters and experiences. Follow the recommendations of our carefully selected Spanish city ambassadors and prestigious partner institutions to find hidden gems as they share the craftsmanship found on their doorsteps. Wherever you are in Spain, find courses around the corner to express your own creativity.
First to Madrid, follow in the footsteps of city ambassador designer Tomás Alía and find your way to the workshop of Luthier Felipe Conde and discover the secrets behind making guitars for famous musicians from Bob Dylan to Paco de Lucìa. Next wind your way through the heart of the city to meet the ceramicist Maria Oriza and admire the way she experiments with clay and iron to create her unique vessels. From here, be led into the countryside to seek out master weavers Elena Goded and Ana María Gil, the creative duo behind Ábbatte. Enjoy a guided tour of their workshop, learning all about their natural yarns and weaving on manual looms. Why not stay for dinner in the main hall of Ábbatte overlooking the spectacular Sierra de Guadarrama.Take the road back south to discover Luis Minguez Serrano, a unique artisan specialised in bookbinding, and delight in the inventiveness and creativity of his leather book covers which he binds for the Premio Cervantes literary prize. Whilst in Madrid, take the time to visit the ceramic manufacturer Cerámica San Ginés set up by Mónica del Pino upon the recommendation of EOI – Fundesarte. See how Mónica is continuing her great grandfather’s legacy and a tradition closely linked to Talavera de la Reina.
Pack your bags for Andalucía. First stop at woodturner Santiago Valverde López’s workshop in Santa Eufemia and marvel at how he transforms rot into riches, by taking the trunks of rotten olive trees local to his region and creating light-filled vessels. Keep following the road south until you reach Cordoba where you can appreciate the beautiful leather embossing and engraving of Daniel López-Obrero and learn how he keeps this ancient art form alive in his family workshop. See Seville through the eyes of collectors Ana Maria Abascal and Patricia Medina and be surprised by the living treasures found within its ancient walls. Upon their recommendation go in search of embroiderer Maria José Angeles Espinar and find out how she creates the traditional mantón and Manila shawl with her signature bright floral patterns. Be led to the workshop of horse saddler Francisco Dorantes to discover one of Andalucía’s richest traditions. Watch how he restores historical harnesses for clients from all over Europe. See how east meets west with a visit to the workshop of Yukiko Kitahara, a Japanese ceramicist who has spent half her life in Seville.
Make your way to the coastal city of Barcelona and see how craft meets with culinary traditions. Step into the workshop of glassmakers Ester Luesma and Xavier Vega to admire the glass dishware they make for haute cuisine in collaboration with recognised Michelin star chef Ferran Adrìa. See how design flair meets function with their inventive and colourful creations. Seek out the stone sculptor Jean Briac and marvel at how his marble pieces play with light and shape. Set sail for Majorca for an unforgettable hands on experience with cabinetmaker Jordi Ribas Ros, learn how to make a functional and beautiful object using traditional techniques and innovative design. Take the time to visit partner institution Design Museum Barcelona, for a unique insight into the city’s links with design and craftsmanship.
Piece crafted by Jean Briac © Julieta Ansalas
Meander your way to northern Spain to enter the gothic-punk world of leather worker Cecilio Castrillo upon the recommendation of EOI – Fundesarte and discover why Madonna was such a fan of his ravishing creations. Witness the dedication, imagination, and fantasy with which he approaches his masks and body pieces. Continue west to see first hand the mesmerising masterpieces of fabric sculptor Mercedes Vicente. Delight in their spiral forms which mimic seashells and admire the time and patience required to handcraft each piece.
Create your own unique craftsmanship itinerary
You are the master; the guide is your tool.
From 17 September 2020, visit
homofaber.com or download the app available for free on both Apple Store and Google Play Store.
User guide:
Homo Faber Guide is structured into different sections: Discover, Visit, Experience and Ambassadors.
Discover: Find a selection of the best master artisans and rising talents, ateliers and manufacturers of excellence from all over Europe. Connect with them directly through the guide.
Visit: Find museums, galleries and shops linked to fine craftsmanship to visit in all corners of the continent.
Experience: Find a curated list of workshop visits, artisan master classes, guided tours, and temporary exhibitions and fairs across Europe.
Ambassadors: Renowned individuals and partner institutions within the craft, creativity and design world who recommend their favourite artisans, galleries and experiences in their home cities.
Subcategories: search by country, city, craft or material.
Notes for editors
The Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship is an international, non-profit institution based in Geneva, Switzerland, which celebrates and preserves master craftsmanship and strengthens its connection to the world of design. Rooted in a tradition of culture and excellence as well as in the realities and challenges of our current global economy, the foundation seeks to support men and women 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 fine craftsmanship has been a vital part of the economic and cultural fabric of the region for centuries. Homo Faber: Crafting a more human future is the foundation’s first major cultural exhibition dedicated to the very best in European craftsmanship, which welcomed 62,500 art enthusiasts to its inaugural edition in Venice in 2018. michelangelofoundation.org
Homo Faber Guide launched on 17 September 2020 is an online, searchable guide, which showcases artisans, museums, ateliers, manufacturers, galleries and experiences linked to the world of fine craftsmanship around Europe. It is the foundation’s signature digital project. The portal connects art enthusiasts, collectors, clients, galleries, curious travellers and designers with the continent’s crafting excellence. It features over 650 artisans across over 25 European countries. Newly selected artisans appear weekly, with the aim of presenting over 1,000 masters and rising talents by 2021. homofaber.com
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