Bagni di Lucca and Beyond

Homo Faber, an Island of Light, was held over the month of September on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice. It is one of the most amazing exhibitions I have ever seen.

Homo Faber Biennial is an international celebration of contemporary craftsmanship presenting the work of hundreds of craft artists from around the world in the magnificent setting of Fondazione Giorgio Cini. Curated by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship, it champions human talent, promotes global craftsmanship, supports emerging makers and highlights craft’s role in creating a more sustainable and inclusive future for us all.

The only ticket I could get in the final days of the exhibition was at 4.30pm, giving me just a few hours to see everything. Next time I will get in early and come for 2 full days. The exhibition was huge and a bit overwhelming to do it justice in a short visit.

The first room is a recreation of an artisans’ studios.  I come from a long line of people who make things. My grandfathers, uncles, father and brothers made, or make things. They were builders, carpenters or painters ( both artists and house painters) My grandmother, mother and aunties all made things. I grew up with boats being built under our house, watching Dad build houses, sewing machines, fabric and yarn, knitting needles and crochet hooks and looms. Walking into this room was like walking into my life.

A huge mural is beamed on to one wall. It becomes a short film explaining what is to come.

It is described as a visual poem projected onto the wall.

Through a door we find corridors lined with hundreds of photographs illuminating the faces of the talented makers of the objects displayed in the exhibition.

In the next room we come to see 200 works moving slowly in a circular motion. Back lighting  throws shadows of the objects onto the walls surrounding the structure. Every single piece was exquisite.

Here are just a few of the beautiful things on show.

In the next building, in a former swimming pool, complete with diving board, a semi circular structure displays a selection of moon jars and vases made of ceramic, glass, paper and metal emerges from the water and slowly descends. It is reflected in the water and resembles a moon rising. Go to my Instagram page (Debra Kolkka) to see a video. Replicas of the vessels  line the walls.

 

Stepping outside into a garden it seemed to me that the plants had been sculpted by hand as well.

Here there are places to sit undercover and in the garden. There is a restaurant, cafe and gelato stand.

The next exhibition space pays homage to organic materials. One side shows objects made of different types of wood while the other highlights pieces made from woven natural materials including wicker, willow and rush. Wood workers and basket weavers work live in the room.

 

 

Moving on, past a large red sculpture, to another room filled with marvellous things.

The bird room was next, a glittering aviary filled with birds. Jewellery, birds created in glass, porcelain, metal, paper and more.

 

Then it was a walk into the Palladian Cloister. The shallow pool in the centre of the cloister has a kinetic mirror plays with the changing light of the day.

Suspended over the stairs to the Palladian Refectory is an installation of paper sculptures by the Chinese artist Wan Qiuwen, based on sketches of Venetian birds.

 

At the top of the stairs is a collection of pure white objects.

Behind a wall is a facsimile of Paolo Veronese’s The Wedding of Cana.

Another view of the paper birds.

From white to a rainbow of colours. Pieces made from plastic, enamel, resin, glass and more are displayed on mirror- backed shelves and rotating bases, while a vast mirrored ceiling emphasises the kaleidoscopic effect.

Then it was a walk past the maze and  a quick look into the shop.

Then the exit following an underwater themed mural.

I will spend at least 2 days at the next Homo Faber. I will explore everything slowly and have time to see more.

I loved this because it celebrates crafts people who make things with their hands. Please go out and look for these people in your neighbourhood while they can still hold on with ever growing competition from chain stores and even worse, Shein, Temu and rotten Amazon. Geoff Bezos doesn’t need any more money. Support a local business so it can survive.