Homo Faber 2022: Master Artisans and Luxury Maisons Converge in Venice

The second edition of Homo Faber took place on the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice, gathering master artisans from around the world with a special focus on Japanese tradition. Organized by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship under executive director Alberto Cavalli, the event promoted a more human and sustainable future through handmade objects. Luxury houses like Cartier showcased their master craftsmen, including Philippe Nicolas, who demonstrated micromosaics and glyptics at the historic Fornace Orsoni, the last active furnace in Venice producing gold-leaf mosaics since 1888. At the Fondazione Cini, Dolce & Gabbana displayed a single tailored suit requiring 20 days of work by one person, Serapian presented hand-woven mosaic leather bags using a technique from 1947, Hermès demonstrated the 'velours au sabre' technique for silk scarves, and Japanese Yuzen kimono dyeing (17th century) was shown with over twenty steps taking 3-6 months. The House of Lemarié, founded in 1880, exhibited a Chanel piece with hand-sewn petals and Swarovski crystals. Jaeger-LeCoultre's Atmos clock uses perpetual motion from gas expansion. Visitors could also tour the restored Teatro Verde amphitheater (1,500 seats) thanks to Cartier, and board the 1936 Scottish yacht Eilean, restored by an Italian master for Officine Panerai's former CEO Angelo Bonati.