Venice - A benchmark for fine crafts

Franco Cologni, Michelangelo Foundation, December 5, 2019

After the damage caused by the rising waters, my thoughts turn to Venice, the city which, in addition to Homo Faber, is home to many of our most treasured craftsmen. The Michelangelo Foundation is at the forefront of the Support for Venice campaign launched by Venetian Heritage, which aims to restore Venice’s artistic and cultural heritage. It is thanks to the skill of the most qualified and experienced master craftsmen that it will be possible to carry out the restoration projects necessary to preserve for posterity the rich artistic heritage of the lagoon city.

At this time, the Venetian craftsmen need our support to rebuild the stores, recover the traditional tools and be able to continue their activities. Venice’s artistic legacy rests entirely on their shoulders, as we work hard to protect artisans, ensuring that they can continue to work and create, giving them exposure to improve their skills and the wonderful objects they they manufacture, fruit of their dedication, their passion and their love. Without the colorful multiplicity of its craftsmen, Venice would end up being the ghost of itself. It is therefore absolutely essential to protect the guardians of Venice’s cultural heritage - the living treasures of the city - the very embodiment of the artistic heritage of the Serenissima.

Also close to the water is the new headquarters of the Michelangelo Foundation, at the Arcades des Arts, on the Pont de la Machine, in Geneva. From there, our day-to-day commitment continues to put artisans at the center of our business, giving them a voice and a platform that allows them not only to survive, but to thrive, and in doing so, to pass on their ancient techniques to the new. generations. The new headquarters in the heart of Geneva therefore marks the beginning of a new era. I hope that this space can become a reference for fine crafts, capable of enlightening not only the material but also the intellectual sphere. A place where visitors can immerse themselves in a world of excellence, where tradition meets innovation and where creativity meets craftsmanship. It is here, in these confluences, that true mastery emerges: our mission is precisely to promote and perpetuate all forms of the highest craftsmanship, to strengthen its links with the world of design to ensure its sustainability. . In summary, the Arcades des Arts intend to honor the beauty of artisanal excellence and the knowledge that guides it.

https://www.michelangelofoundation.org/en/reflections?langue=en