Homo Faber Event 2022 spotlights Europe’s master artisans who are passing on precious skills to the next generation of aspiring craftspeople in the exhibition Next of Europe

Europe’s “living treasures” – master artisans who embody the excellence of fine craftsmanship –
are found in all corners of the continent. Many are using techniques and knowledge passed
down from generation to generation to create contemporary pieces that reflect the genius loci of
their territory

Artisan Max Brosi ©Steve Rogers Photography

• An impressive selection of artworks by talented European master artisans who are passing on their savoir-faire to the next generation of artisans
• Visitors will have the unique opportunity to observe the creative process and training methods through live artisan demonstrations
• A cabinet of curiosities will display an array of finely crafted objects which reflect the diversity of materials, expertise and savoir-faire deriving from different territories across Europe

At Homo Faber Event 2022 in Venice, Next of Europe presents a spectacular selection of Europe’s best craftspeople – authentic “living treasures” as per the Japanese definition – and their beautifully crafted objects in an exhibition designed by renowned Italian architect Stefano Boeri and curated by gallerist Jean Blanchaert.

The protagonists of Next of Europe are master artisans who dedicate time to passing on their skills to the next generation through apprenticeships and training. Visitors will be able to admire artworks created by masters who embody this philosophy and see the different stages of the creative process through live artisan demonstrations. Watch how simple materials are rendered sophisticated by the touch of a master’s hand as the artisans demonstrate their capacity for creativity and individuality in their manual work.

Jean Blanchaert has searched high and low, in every secret corner of Europe, to discover gifted craftspeople and their masterpieces. Often hidden away and humble, these master artisans are seldom visible to the public. This is a rare opportunity to view Europe’s incredible array of artisanal talent. A cabinet of curiosities, the exhibition seeks to mesmerise and astonish, and will be bursting with surprises to reflect the diversity of Europe’s craftspeople.

From the feathers of Florence and the metal of Georgia to the alabaster manufactured in Luxembourg and in England, delight in the beauty and richness of objects, materials and expertise deriving from different regions, full of their individual identities and unique heritages. In London, Tess Morley creates unique pieces using shells that she has collected from the British shores and beyond, including grotto-style lamps, ornate mirrors, caskets and salt cellars. In Paris, William Amor upcycles plastic waste to create delicate floral works, each one imbued with his philosophy that plastic waste is a raw material with creative potential that can be transformed into beautiful objects which carry a strong message.

“The aim of our project is to shine a light on the oscillation between the aesthetic dimension and the productive functionality of a product; something which makes the Jean Blanchaert and Homo Faber perspectives on design and craft so unique in today’s cultural context.” – Stefano Boeri

“In a world completely mechanical and completely dominated by the web, being able to use your hands to produce something beautiful and very often useful is very important. It’s keeping a link with our roots.” – Jean Blanchaert

Next of Europe is set in the Tapestry Hall at Fondazione Giorgio Cini. It is one of 15 exhibitions that comprise Homo Faber Event 2022, organised by the Michelangelo Foundation.

Notes for editors

homofaber.com

Discover Venice the #HomoFaberWay

@homofaber

Homo Faber Event

Crafting a more human future

Fondazione Giorgio Cini, San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice

Organised by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship, the Homo Faber Event is an international exhibition that champions artisanal talent, showcasing an impressive variety of materials, techniques and skills through live demonstrations, immersive digital experiences and imaginative displays of handcrafted creations. From functional everyday objects to outstanding decorative pieces, this edition highlights craft’s role in creating a more sustainable and inclusive future. The event offers a rare chance to admire the prestigious work of a selection of Japan’s National Living Treasures and to experience craft and its connections to the arts and to the design world. Visitors can join guided tours of the 15 exhibition spaces led by passionate students participating in the Young Ambassadors Programme. Imagined by a team of world-renowned curators and designers, the scenographic event transforms the magnificent spaces of the Fondazione Giorgio Cini, located on San Giorgio Maggiore island in the heart of the Venetian lagoon. On top of the event, the Homo Faber in Città project gives visitors a chance to experience craftsmanship across Venice through tailor-made itineraries. homofaber.com

The Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship is a non-profit institution based in Geneva, Switzerland, which champions contemporary craftspeople worldwide with the aim of promoting a more human, inclusive and sustainable future. The Foundation seeks to highlight the connections between craft, the wider arts and the design world. Its mission is to both celebrate and preserve craftsmanship and its diversity of makers, materials and techniques, by increasing craft’s everyday recognition and its viability as a professional path for the next generations. From engaging educational programmes such as the Summer Schools, to its signature digital project the Homo Faber Guide and the international exhibition Homo Faber Event, the Foundation is fostering a cultural movement centred on master artisans and rising stars. michelangelofoundation.org

Jean Blanchaert

Next of Europe is curated by Jean Blanchaert, a Belgian-Italian gallerist, antiquarian, glass sculptor and illustrator. For the past 30 years he has run his family’s gallery in Milan, which specialises in glass, ceramics, enamel and contemporary materials. Alongside this and his own career as a designer and artist, he curates and writes about design.

Stefano Boeri

Italian architect and Urban Planner, Stefano Boeri is a fulltime Professor at Politecnico in Milan and Director of the Future City Lab at Tongji University in Shanghai. Director of Domus (2004-2007) and Abitare (2007- 2011), in 2018 he was appointed President of Fondazione Triennale Milano. Stefano Boeri Architetti’s work ranges from the production of urban visions and architectures to interior and furniture design

Download pdf