Homo Faber 2026 | An Island of Light

Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte and Michelangelo Foundation, in partnership with Fondazione Giorgio Cini, present the fourth edition of Homo Faber: An Island of Light, an event dedicated to the art of exceptional craftsmanship. Artistic direction has been entrusted to Es Devlin, who will bring her luminous artistic vision to Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice from 1 to 30 September 2026. The award-winning British artist is renowned for her monumental installations and kinetic sculptures, which have enriched museums, galleries, theatres and Olympic stadiums around the world. Her installation Library of Light attracted 200,000 visitors to Pinacoteca di Brera during the Salone del Mobile in Milan.

Artisans will take centre stage throughout the exhibition spaces and become the focal point of the visitor experience. Photographs, videos, poetry and music will highlight their faces, nationalities and cultures. A recreated artisan workshop will offer an intimate look at their tools, raw materials and working techniques, while several craftspeople will demonstrate their skills live in three of the main exhibition halls. All artworks and installations will be presented by a new group of Young Ambassadors: 90 talented design and applied arts students from around the world selected by Homo Faber to bring the exhibition to life. An Island of Light will offer a profound and inspiring experience exploring the essential relationship between light, materials and craftsmanship.

In addition to the exhibition spaces, the fourth edition will also feature a rich programme of live demonstrations, participatory workshops and unique gastronomic experiences, allowing visitors to immerse themselves even further in the world of craftsmanship and tailor their day according to their own interests.

Finally, alongside the exhibition, Homo Faber in Città will return once again: throughout the month of September, Venetian artisan workshops featured in the Homo Faber Guide will open their doors to visitors, while a programme of fascinating exhibitions dedicated to Venice and its rich artisanal heritage will be hosted across some of the most beautiful sites of the Serenissima.