In 2024, I had an active role in the organization of Homo Faber, a unique international event dedicated to fine craft presenting a selection of the most important artisans working nowadays worldwide. The biennial event is a meeting point for experts and craftspeople coming to Venice to see the show, meet and discover Venetian artisans and local craft.
First presented in 2018 by Michelangelo Foundation for creativity and craftsmanship based in Geneva, from the very first edition Homo Faber proposed an international and contemporary vision on craft, dedicating important efforts to facilitate the transmission of know-how to the young generations. In collaboration with Fondazione Giorgio Cini and Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte, operating in Milan, Michelangelo Foundation created an immersive experience in one of the most prestigious and beautiful venue in the world. Since then, for a month every other year, the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore becomes the place to be for craft, design and art lovers: a major exhibition with a rich calendar of events is presented at Fondazione Giorgio Cini, giving s new life to the different historical buildings, including the gardens and cloisters.

Signed by Luca Guadagnino and Nicolò Rosmarini as artistic directors, in 2024 Homo Faber arrived at the third edition. To discover more about Homo Faber 2024: The Journey of Life https://2024.homofaber.com/

Besides the immersive exhibitions staged across the outstanding spaces of Fondazione Giorgio Cini, the public could also explore a selection of artisanal addresses across Venice and visit the city in a new way with the Homo Faber in Città programme. As Project Director of Homo Faber in Città, I was in charge of coordinating the 70 workshops participating, creating contents for the Homo Faber Guide App and preparing the press material. I accompanied experts to meet the artisans and help creating new opportunities for them. This experience allowed me to penetrate into the Venetian craft community, including Murano and Burano. During the entire month of September, Homo Faber in Città also organized 21 events to put on value and share with the public the life and stories of artisans in special locations around Venice including the cultural space of Fondaco dei Tedeschi and Fondazione Querini Stampalia. Homo Faber in Città collaborated with The Venice Glass Week to show master artisans at work in Murano glass workshops and factories.
For a year and a half this mission requested all my attention as I photographed, interviewed, met or wrote about the entire craft community.
To discover more about Homo Faber in Città: https://2024.homofaber.com/in-citta

All photographs: ©Michelangelo Foundation / Susanna Pozzoli, 2024