Homo Faber
For the 2024 edition of the Homo Faber fair, art directors Luca Guadagnino and Nicolò Rosmarini present an immersive interpretation of the journey of a human life through craftsmanship.
Carefully selected by the Michelangelo Foundation – an initiative preserving craftsmanship and strengthening its applications to the contemporary cultural and design landscapes – a collection of magnificent objects handcrafted by artisans worldwide will be exhibited throughout the Fondazione Giorgio Cini for the month of September - itself an inspirational setting upon Venice’s island of San Giorgio Maggiore.
Showcasing a diverse repertoire of hand-embroidery and hand-painting, de Gournay’s participation is part of a life-size rendition of ‘Gioco dell’Oca’ – a historic game of chance for which multiple artisans have created individual panels as though for a large-scale game board.
Referencing artworks by British artist Nigel Peake specifically commissioned for the fair, de Gournay’s expressive rendition of the ‘Goose’ or ‘Oca’ echoes the artist’s brushstroke-like textures with a mix of silk thread, beading, and goldwork techniques on appliqué to create a three-dimensional effect. Individually embroidered feather sections overlapping upon the wings conjure further depth. The background mixes various stitching techniques in natural raffia tones alongside metallic finishes in zari rope and badla, or hammered soft wire, to suggest the layered quality of Peake’s ‘map’ style works, while simultaneously showcasing the intricate embroidery techniques and unmatched skill of the artisans within de Gournay’s own studio.
Within the on-site restaurant, an installation of the brand’s bespoke wallpaper depicts an elegant flock of cranes stepping proudly through swirling shallows. Hand-painted onto dyed silk, the life-size birds present an engaging interplay between land and water, mirroring the island setting surrounding them.
