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Chapter six - article five

Homo Faber 2024:
The Magic of Life

Because the word “art” is at the heart of the “Cartier” name, the quest for beauty pursued by the Maison’s artisans resonates with even greater intensity. For this new edition of Homo Faber in Venice, Cartier has brought the beauty of nature to the forefront, all while celebrating the richness of its jewelry expertise.

Photo of San Giorgia Maggiori

Aerial view of the island of San Giorgio Maggiori, where the Fondazione Giorgio Cini hosted the Homo Faber Biennial

Between the tip of Giudecca and the Doge’s Palace, gondolas, vaporetti and other motorboats pass constantly. Yet on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, calm and focus reign. This is where the Fondazione Giorgio Cini hosted the Homo Faber Biennial throughout September: an exceptional venue for a unique event born of the desire to preserve and pro- mote contemporary craftsmanship. Hundreds of international master craftsmen and designers of all ages showcased their work.

Homo Faber 2024 display case

Homo Faber 2024 display case

This year’s theme was “The Journey of Life.” Luca Guadagnino, director, founder of studiolucaguadagnino, and friend of the Maison, was entrusted with the artistic direction of this edition alongside architect Nicolò Rosmarini. Together, they have created a journey in ten stages - representing ten major themes in life, from Birth to Dreams to Journeys. Cartier was there, displaying the singularity of its flora and fauna in the former printworks of San Giorgio Maggiore, around a space entirely dedicated to Nature.

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Tiger jewelry necklace

The audience was invited to enjoy the work of a sculptor and a jeweler from the Maison at the workbench in real time. The two worked together on an original jewelry set inspired by the tiger, Cartier’s other feline emblem along with the panther. Featuring sculptural volume, fine features, flexibility and articulation, and the nuance of colored diamonds, this lifelike creation reflected the excellence of the Cartier workshops. This look behind the scenes of the workbench was part of a presentation of the different stages in the creative process, from gouache to wax, from jewelry-making to gem-setting and polishing. To round it off, 21 pieces from the Cartier Collection provided a compelling demonstration of the power of this creative inspiration inherent to Cartier for over a century.

The initiative extended beyond the island of San Giorgio Maggiore with Homo Faber in Città, which allowed visitors to explore the rest of the city through themed tours and customized experiences based around savoir-faire. This unique immersive experience, developed with the support of Cartier, gave visitors the opportunity to discover over 70 workshops, from lamp makers and puppet makers to gondola builders and glass blowers, proving that the beauty of art is written in an ever-changing present.

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