Homo Faber Event 2022 – an inspiring celebration of human talent, creativity and craftsmanship

The second edition of the event put artisans at the forefront – bringing together a diverse range of people, perspectives, materials and techniques

Homo Faber Event 2022 welcomed 55,000 visitors to the Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Venice over three weeks, from 10 April to 1 May. From families and young generations to craft enthusiasts, designers and art collectors, the event attracted a wide audience to experience the best of contemporary craftsmanship in a unique setting.

400 artisans from 43 countries were spotlighted across 15 exhibitions, imagined by a team of world-renowned experts and curators. It offered a rare opportunity to meet the next generation of talented makers, rising stars and master artisans, to witness their skills up close through live showcases, and hear their stories.

The event explored a broader scope of contemporary craft, and its relevance to our daily lives and to culture, came into focus. Functional craft was showcased throughout the exhibitions – from a surfboard handcrafted from Cryptomeria japonica wood to a chess set inspired by pre-Islamic mythical figures and the cultural artefacts of the remote parts of eastern Afghanistan. A “crafted” tearoom, curated by Tapiwa Matsinde invited visitors to interact with beautifully-made objects – demonstrating how they enhance our every day.

Visitors enjoyed an elevated hospitality experience with a pop-up restaurant, a Bellini corner, and a café, conceived by ALMA: the school of Italian Culinary Arts, Cipriani Foods and Genuino. By serving local artisanal food and drinks, they revealed the artistry behind culinary craft.

Robert Wilson’s evocative exhibition WAITING with peace and darkness demonstrated the importance of master artisans in the world of theatre – drawing on his production of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly to transform the former Gandini swimming pool into a dramatic stage with his signature use of lighting, sound and visual effects.

The event marked the beginning of the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship’s global expansion with the presence of Japan as a special guest. The masterpieces of 12 National Living Treasures were elegantly displayed in a unique showcase that included handmade kimonos, tōso dolls and handwoven bamboo baskets. Visitors experienced Japan’s cultural traditions with experiential workshops dedicated to the tea ceremony, ikebana and origami. 

A fresh energy permeated the event with a hundred Young Ambassadors, talented students of applied arts and design, who animated the spaces, inspiring new generations to embrace craft and creating a young community of creatives from all over Europe.

Homo Faber Event extended its reach to include a collaboration with La Fabrique Nomade and Makers Unite, who work to enhance and promote the professional integration of migrants and refugee craftspeople respectively in France and the Netherlands, as well as with San Patrignano,  a community which offers a new life in crafts for those suffering from drug addiction and marginalization in Italy. In addition, the Michelangelo Foundation collaborated with associations in France and Switzerland to allow young people that wouldn’t be able to travel to Venice to visit the exhibition.

A range of artisans at the event demonstrated how we can rethink materials, methods and our effect on the world around us. From the use of upcycled and reworked materials that are discarded in manufacturing to combining innovations in technology and technique to work with natural materials in unexpected ways - including deadstock wool, seaweed, and waste salmon skin.

Homo Faber in Città gave visitors the chance to discover local Venetian artisans, ateliers, manufactures, museums, galleries, and shops. With over 100 wide-ranging experiences from mosaic and gold leaf making, to gastronomy and wine making, and behind the scenes worlds of performance and visual art.

The Art of Performance itinerary took participants to the atelier of La Fenice, the world-famous Venetian Opera House and into the workshop of renowned costume maker Stefano Nicolao. A Taste of Venice opened new culinary addresses to its subscribers, from an ancient artisanal bakery to a restaurant spearheading the slow food movement and a vineyard hidden in a monastery making biodynamic wines.

Homo Faber is a living and thriving community that is growing every day.

Join our community to be the first to know about our work and upcoming projects.