the exhibition celebrating excellence in art, design and contemporary craftsmanship
From September 1 to 30, 2026, the island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice will host the fourth edition of Homo Faber, one of the most anticipated international events dedicated to fine craftsmanship, design, and applied arts. Under the title “An Island of Light”, the exhibition will transform the island’s historic spaces into a large-scale journey through tradition, innovation, and contemporary creativity.
Organized by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship in collaboration with the Giorgio Cini Foundation and the Cologni Foundation for the Métiers d’Art, the exhibition will take place alongside the Venice Biennale, further reinforcing the city’s role as a global hub for art, design, and culture.
San Giorgio Maggiore Island Matteo De Fina ©Courtesy of the Fondazione Giorgio Cini
A new edition of Homo Faber focused on light and creativity
The 2026 edition is curated by renowned British designer Es Devlin, one of the most influential figures in contemporary creative practice. The chosen concept, “An Island of Light,” uses light as both a visual and symbolic element to highlight the work of hundreds of artisans, designers, and makers from around the world.
The exhibition will unfold across fifteen exhibition spaces throughout San Giorgio Maggiore. Each section will explore a different relationship between material, craftsmanship, and imagination, offering visitors an immersive experience that combines art, design, and exceptional craftsmanship.
Es Devlin Art Director ©Victor Picon
HOMO FABER 2026 Key Visual ©Michelangelo Fondation
An exhibition journey through art, design and tradition
Among the most anticipated installations is A Language of Hands, an environment designed to evoke the atmosphere of traditional workshops through sounds, gestures, and artisanal tools. The journey will continue with An Index of Artisans, a gallery celebrating the protagonists of contemporary craftsmanship, and An Alphabet of Objects, a spectacular kinetic installation featuring more than one hundred creations from a wide range of artistic disciplines.
The entire project will engage directly with the architecture and history of the former Benedictine monastery, enhancing both its heritage and its spaces. In the former Gandini swimming pool, visitors will encounter A Full Moon Rising, an installation dedicated to traditional Korean moon jars, where water, reflections, and ceramics create a captivating visual landscape.
Natural materials will also play a central role. A Rooted Ascent, built using cork, wood, and plant-based materials, will host live demonstrations and encounters with master artisans working directly with organic resources.
Piscina Gandini Homo Faber 2026 ©Es Devlin STUDIO
Craftsmanship as a participatory experience
One of the most innovative aspects of Homo Faber 2026 will be the active involvement of visitors. Through An Atelier Alive, guests will be able to observe ceramicists, glassmakers, textile artists, and metalworkers at work, gaining direct insight into techniques and skills passed down through generations.
Adding further dynamism to the exhibition will be the presence of 90 Young Ambassadors, students from leading international design schools who will guide visitors through the installations and help bring the exhibition spaces to life.
Venice at the centre of the dialogue between art, design and innovation
More than a traditional exhibition, Homo Faber presents itself as a cultural platform dedicated to reflecting on the value of craftsmanship in the age of technology and artificial intelligence. The project highlights increasingly relevant themes such as sustainability, the transmission of knowledge, and the relationship between the natural and the artificial.
In a city like Venice, whose identity has long been linked to artistic excellence and artisanal production, the event takes on a particularly meaningful role, strengthening connections with the Venice Biennale and the city’s broader cultural landscape.
Hyungho Jeon Artisan ©All rights reserved
Homo Faber in the city: beyond San Giorgio Maggiore
In 2026, the Homo Faber in the City initiative will once again invite visitors to discover Venice’s workshops and artisan studios. Through specially designed itineraries, participants will gain access to places that are often closed to the public, meeting artisans and exploring the outstanding craftsmanship traditions that continue to shape the city.
Among the main partners is Casa Sanlorenzo, overlooking the Bacino di San Marco, which will host two collateral exhibitions: one dedicated to the finest artisans of the Veneto region and another focused on the craftsmanship excellence of Luxembourg.
With this new edition, Homo Faber confirms its position as one of the leading international events in the fields of craftsmanship, art, and design, further strengthening Venice’s reputation as a global capital of creativity and contemporary culture.
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