Jaeger-LeCoultre to Participate in the Third Edition of Homo Faber Biennial in Venice
Jaeger-LeCoultre is delighted to announce its participation in the third edition of the Homo Faber Biennial, set to take place in Venice this September. Homo Faber is an event that celebrates the craftsmanship and unique stories of talented artisans from around the world, honoring the priceless human skill behind the creation of beautiful, handcrafted objects.
The Journey of Life: An Exhibition of Global Craftsmanship
Curated by acclaimed film director and interior architect Luca Guadagnino, along with architect Nicolò Rosmarini, the event titled “The Journey of Life” will feature the work of over 400 highly skilled craftspeople from 50 countries, spread across 10 themed exhibition spaces. The Homo Faber Biennial will be held on the island of S. Giorgio Maggiore, Venice, from September 1–30, 2024.
An Immersive Exhibition Showcasing Rare Craft Skills
Jaeger-LeCoultre has been selected to participate in the ‘Nature’ exhibition, showcasing the exceptional savoir-faire of its Métiers Rares™ atelier. This exhibition highlights the importance of traditional crafts, the value of passing down skills from generation to generation, and the influence of symbolic imagery throughout history.
Visitors will gain rare insights into precious craft skills through live demonstrations by craftsmen from the Manufacture. Throughout the month-long event, there will be live demonstrations of enamelling, engraving, gem setting, and watchmaking. To celebrate this talent and accumulated savoir-faire in both watchmaking and the decorative arts, Jaeger-LeCoultre will unveil three new limited-edition Reverso timepieces during the Homo Faber Biennial.
Homo Faber Fellowship: Preserving and Transmitting Savoir-Faire
Jaeger-LeCoultre reinforces its commitment to preserving and transmitting vital craft skills for future generations through its partnership with the Michelangelo Foundation in the Homo Faber Fellowship. This long-term initiative equips talented graduates with the creative and business skills necessary to integrate into the professional craft sector.
The inaugural cycle began with a month-long residential masterclass at the studio of renowned Portuguese contemporary artist Joana Vasconcelos. It brought together 20 pairs of Master craftsmen and newly graduated talents (Fellows). Workshops in creative skills were complemented by a design case study presented by Jaeger-LeCoultre and a bespoke business skills program certified by ESSEC Business School. This was followed by a six-month residential placement for the Fellows in the studios of their respective Masters, where they exchanged ideas and developed techniques through the co-creation of an object.
Exhibition of Co-Created Masterpieces
A selection of these co-created objects will be curated for the Homo Faber Biennial and displayed in various exhibition areas, reflecting the creative visions and craft skills embodied in each piece. The Homo Faber Biennial is open to the public from September 1–30, 2024, from 10 am to 7 pm daily, at Fondazione Giorgio Cini on the island of S. Giorgio Maggiore, Venice. For more information and tickets, visit homofaber.com.