Biennial Homo Faber Casts Light Over Venice

Es Devlin Artistic Director Photo : Sophia Bennett ©Michelangelo Foundation

By Fernanda Artibani

Island of San Giorgio Becomes Stage for Light and Craft Through Sept. 30

VENICE – Attracting more than 500 artisans from over 70 countries, the fourth edition of the Homo Faber Biennial, titled “An Island of Light,” runs through Sept. 30 at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice. More than 700 handcrafted objects fill 15 immersive installations designed by artistic director Es Devlin.

A Great Turning Giulio Ghirardi ©Michelangelo Foundation

Organized by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship, in partnership with the Fondazione Giorgio Cini itself and the Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte, the biennial fills indoor and outdoor spaces of the Venetian institution. Light, water, mirrors, movement and sound combine in the narrative Devlin devised to bring visitors closer to the world of craftsmanship, from workshops to tools to finished objects. Eighty-five percent of the selected artisans are taking part in the event for the first time, a figure organizers present as an invitation to reflect on the relationship between light, materials, talent and creation.

Voices Behind the Biennial

Devlin says she hopes visitors leave with a changed perspective. “I hope they leave with an understanding of where objects come from, the hands that make them and the conditions under which they are made,” the artist says, adding that she also wants visitors to feel inspired to create on their own and to support people who dedicate their lives to handmade work. Hanneli Rupert, executive vice president of the Michelangelo Foundation, recalls that the biennial was born from an urgent conviction: Manual work matters. She notes that current technology, increasingly capable of generating images and mimicking voices, has intensified a collective search for authenticity, which is why the foundation invited Devlin to lead the project.

Alberto Cavalli Photo : Sophia Bennett ©Michelangelo Foundation

Promoting craftsmanship, human talent and creativity means, according to Alberto Cavalli, the foundation’s executive director, defending freedom of choice: the right to name who makes the objects used in everyday life and to turn talent into a profession. Gianfelice Rocca, president of the Fondazione Giorgio Cini, adds that the institution has served for 75 years, since its founding in 1951, as a meeting point for disciplines including conservation, research, art, science and innovation.

Hands at Work

Working with porcelain, leather, paper and textiles, independent artisans bring An Atelier Alive to life, a recreation of a real studio where they demonstrate techniques for visitors. Woodworking and weaving take center stage in A Rooted Ascent, where artisans work live and show how organic materials shape their results. Kintsugi and hanko, traditional Japanese techniques, are the focus of two workshops led by European artisans and presented by Mazda. The activity is open to visitors age 10 and older and costs 10 euros, with advance booking required.

Peony reverie Leo Wong Artisan Photo : Sophia Bennett ©Michelangelo Foundation

Each participant shapes a paper flower at the free origami workshop, supported by Mazda and curated by Italian artist Giuseppe Romeo. Every piece produced becomes part of a collective installation that grows throughout September, forming a floral composition assembled by the public itself.

Flavors of the Island

Nestled inside the pop-up A Glasshouse Restaurant, the Local Venezia group offers three tasting menus paired with local wines and products. The setting includes a 23-foot-long glass table and a 20-foot-tall chandelier, both provided by iDOGI.

Quieter appetites can turn to A Trattoria on an Island, also run by Local Venezia, with a menu inspired by the lagoon’s culinary heritage; advance reservations are recommended. The Garden Cafe and the Pool Bar serve drinks and light snacks self-service style in the foundation’s gardens.

Recognition for Talent

Young ambassadors, international students interested in design, craftsmanship and business, move through the exhibition spaces to guide visitors. An official shop offers a curated selection of items related to the exhibition.

Scoring by the public, invited journalists and the young ambassadors will determine three prizes awarded to exhibiting artisans at the Homo Faber Biennial. Any visitor can vote through the Homo Faber app after creating an account and scanning the QR code next to each piece; voting remains open through the end of September. Organizers will announce the winners on the final day of the event; each recipient receives 10,000 euros to support the development of their careers.

City Takes the Stage

Marking another stop on the trail, the Homo Faber in Città project takes over Casa Sanlorenzo, the cultural residence of yacht maker Sanlorenzo, with two exhibitions: Ca’ Riflesso, by Artemest, spotlighting Italian master artisans with a focus on Venice and the Veneto region; and Fiat Lux, by De Mains De Maîtres Luxembourg, dedicated to artists from Luxembourg. Meanwhile, 130 artisan workshops across the city, listed in the Homo Faber Guide, open their doors to the public throughout September, free of charge and without the need for advance booking.

Tickets and Access

Unlimited advance sales are available through homofaber.com, where admission to “An Island of Light” costs 16 euros at full price, with discounts offered for specific categories. A limited number of tickets also remain available for purchase on-site on the day of the visit.

Genealogy of the Project

Zeroing in on its mission to safeguard contemporary craftsmanship, the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship, based in Geneva, curates the biennial, a cornerstone of the Homo Faber cultural movement that brings together, with each edition, hundreds of master artisans, emerging talents and designers at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini. The Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte, headquartered in Milan, joins the partnership through cultural and educational initiatives dedicated to preserving artistic crafts. Devlin, for her part, has built a career that includes three Olivier Awards, a Tony, the Ivor Novello Award and the London Design Medal, along with an Order of the British Empire honor for services to design. Among her works are installations at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the National Portrait Gallery and the Serpentine Galleries in London, along with the Imperial War Museum. She has also designed stage sets for the Metropolitan Opera and La Scala, as well as structures for Olympic ceremonies and Super Bowl halftime shows.