02 Sep Venice, the Island Where Light Meets the Human Hand
“Homo Faber 2026 – An Island of Light”
Homo faber fortunae suae. Man is the maker of his own fortune, but also – and above all – of his ability to transform matter. This is the thread running through Homo Faber 2026 – An Island of Light, the fourth edition of the international biennial dedicated to contemporary craftsmanship, taking place in Venice from September 1 to 30.
Once again, the heart of the event is the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore, within the spaces of the Giorgio Cini Foundation. But this year, the experience takes on a new dimension: light becomes a narrative material, an element capable of guiding visitors through works, installations and the gestures of artisans.
The artistic direction is entrusted to Es Devlin, the British artist and designer known for her large-scale theatrical installations. Her vision brings light, materials and the human hand into dialogue, creating a journey in which craftsmanship is not simply displayed, but experienced.
Fifteen immersive installations mark the route across the island, alongside works by hundreds of artisans from different parts of the world. Ceramics, glass, textiles, wood, metal and other materials reveal the variety of contemporary craftsmanship, in an ongoing dialogue between tradition and experimentation.
Homo Faber is an invitation to look closely at the work of the artisan, to understand its rhythms, gestures and almost physical relationship with materials. Live demonstrations, workshops, talks and visits allow the public to enter the creative process and discover how, even today, the human hand can remain a protagonist in the age of industrial and digital production.
From the Island of San Giorgio, the journey opens out into the city. With Homo Faber In Città, Venice becomes an integral part of the event: exhibitions, events, talks and itineraries lead visitors to discover workshops and master artisans, bringing to light a heritage of skills that for centuries has been one of the deepest expressions of the lagoon city’s identity.
WHERE: Giorgio Cini Foundation, Island of San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice
OPEN: every day from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
CLOSES: September 30
HOW TO GET THERE: take the train, then catch vaporetto line 2 and get off at San Giorgio Island.
FOR ALL INFORMATION: www.homofaber.com
WHERE TO STAY
Venice, as we know, is certainly not a cheap destination. There are, however, some good middle-ground options, and we would like to recommend a couple just a few steps from the Accademia stop on vaporetto line 2, which is essential for reaching our destination.
We are in the Dorsoduro sestiere, one of the areas of Venice where tourists have not yet become the dominant presence.
The addresses we suggest are also just a few minutes from the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Accademia Galleries, and above all from the Basilica della Salute. Right next to the Basilica is Casa Sanlorenzo, which hosts two Homo Faber exhibitions dedicated to master artisans from Venice and the Veneto region.
The first is the Hotel American Dinesen, a very pleasant hotel overlooking a calle in Dorsoduro, 628. Tel. +39 041 520 4733 — www.hotelamerican.com
The second is directly opposite the hotel: B&B Suite735, at Dorsoduro 735/A. Tel. +39 041 520 8051 — www.suite735.com
WHERE TO EAT
There is plenty of choice, provided you keep an eye on the balance between quality and price. Staying in Dorsoduro:
The first is just a stone’s throw from the accommodation options mentioned above. Al Vecio Forner is a typical Venetian osteria, affected by the influx of tourists but still true to its culinary spirit and welcoming atmosphere. It is located at Dorsoduro 368, Tel. +39 041 521 0343, and is open every day (the kitchen closes at 10:30 pm).
The second is just a short walk away. Al Vecio Marangon, at Dorsoduro 1210 – Calle della Toletta, is a small restaurant with seating also available just outside. An excellent place for Venetian cuisine. Booking is essential, luck aside. Tel. +39 041 277 8554 — www.alveciomarangon.com
Third, also just a few steps away, we could not leave out a place for cichetti, as well as excellent freshly made sandwiches for lunch. Le Cantine del Vino Già Schiavi, at Fondamenta Nani 992, is one of the best Venetian bacari: a historic institution at the foot of the bridge leading to San Trovaso and opposite the historic squero.
Just a note: it is closed on Sundays. On other days it opens at 8:30 am and closes at 2:00 pm, reopening at 4:00 pm and closing at 8:30 pm. Tel. +39 041 523 0034 — www.cantinaschiavi.com
