The Italian filmmaker is at the Venice Film Festival with his surprising latest feature, Queer – still, he took the time to work on an all-in uphaul of Homo Faber, one that revolutionized the exhibition as we knew it. Not only craftsmen, more than the individual crafts, will be at the centre of our attention, though also, and that’s where the genius is, there will be no more borders between categories or material of the craft. What we will see is a composite formula that puts life’s needs forward, hence the exhibition’s title: The Journey of Life. Guadagnino wrote a film-worthy story for Homo Faber, the story of skilled craftsmen and their beautiful cre- ations. An engaging script has been paired with the most beautiful set at Fondazione Cini, a sensorial stage that redesigned the spaces into a conceptual unicum.

The best architects, technicians, contractors, and local businesses contributed to this project, which is certain to mark a change of pace (and of language) in the field of high crafts. Filmmaker Guadagnino thus re-focused his interests from the image to the imaginary, injecting artisan prowess into every meaningful moment of our existence.
Homo Faber 2024 is a rediscovery of all those big and small moments in our lives when crafts were protagonists. It is a showcase of amazing creations from all corners of the world, arranged following the themes of Childhood, Celebration, Love, Journeys, and Nature. Talent, excellence, and passion are living and breathing ideas that will involve visitors with live demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and creative labs. We will see how real things are made: vases, embroidery, watches, jewels, shoes, writing instruments, and much more. The exhibition lives outside Fondazione Giorgio Cini, too: thanks to Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte and with the support of Cartier, seventy Venetian work- shops will open extended hours throughout the month of September.