Discover the human face of the luxury sector at Homo Faber, 14-30 September

Homo Faber reveals the exceptional human skills, values and passion behind the creation of luxury products 

 
The word luxury conjures money and status, but the original concept of luxury has a deeper meaning. Beneath the beauty of their outward appearance, luxury products can embody the values, culture and time-honoured skills of the master artisans who create them by hand. If we focus on the original concept of luxury, what might we notice?

• That a meticulously hand-sewn saddle with a unique double stitching is stronger than one made by a machine
• That painstakingly creating tiny gold rails 0.2mm thick allows you to fix gemstones in a setting that is virtually invisible
• That it is worth taking three weeks to decorate a single porcelain plate by painting it freehand, without a template
• Or that mastering a centuries-old enamelling technique can create a stunning three dimensional effect

 
This September visitors to Homo Faber in Venice will be able to witness some of the incredible skills and techniques mastered by artisans working in the European luxury sector and presented in the exhibit Discovery and Rediscovery.

Europe has long been a centre of excellence for luxury products, but in this modern world of machinedriven consumerism, the essential values of the luxury sector are sometimes forgotten or lost altogether. This exhibit puts the focus squarely back on the craftsmanship that goes into making luxury items, shining a spotlight on the human beings behind the brands – the artisans whose skills and experience bring real meaning to the concept of luxury.

Discovery and Rediscovery showcases 20 very special artisanal techniques inspired by the list of métiers d’art outlined by the French Institut National des Métiers d’Art (INMA). Each technique will be demonstrated by an artisan from a European luxury house whose history and ethos is closely linked to the skill on view. Renowned maisons and exceptional ateliers will come together in the same room in an unprecedented showcase of the extraordinary craftsmanship behind iconic products of true luxury. 

Visitors will be able to interact with master artisans from each of the maisons as they work on site, making beautiful items that require skills such as crystal engraving, gem sculpting, hand weaving, Lunéville embroidery or bookbinding. Visitors will leave with a real appreciation of the care, mastery of technique, respect for materials, passion for process and sheer man hours that go into finished products of the highest quality.

“We started with traditional craftsmanship related to the world of luxury, and we tried to choose the best representative for each specific know-how,” Franco Cologni, Co-Founder of the Michelangelo Foundation, explains.“Our goal was to present both legendary, world-acknowledged houses and smaller, less well-known brands from the viewpoint of craftsmanship which is essential to their heritage. By putting the master artisans at the centre of our narrative in this space, we are saying that true luxury is more about human excellence and the refinement of skill than simply about expensive objects.”

The exhibit testifies to the high regard the luxury sector has for artisanal skills and its continuing commitment to preserving master craftsmanship for the future.

“The most innovative thing you can do in the 21st century is use your talent and passion to create something with your hands instead of copy-pasting and data-sourcing,” says Anders Thomas, CEO of Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg, one of the participating luxury houses. “The craftsmanship of European artisans results in genuine luxury products that are unique and contribute to the variety and quality of the society we live in, and this must be preserved. By bringing so many master artisans together, Homo Faber is showing the relevance of human skill at the highest level of creativity and passion.”

Discovery and Rediscovery is one of 16 exhibits that make up Homo Faber, a major new exhibition celebrating European craftsmanship, organised by the Michelangelo Foundation.