Homo Faber is the major European event dedicated to Craftsmanship and Design at the prestigious Fondazione Giorgio Cini in Venice. The unique event that seeks to honor arts and its creators will be organized by the Michelangelo Foundation and one of the main exhibits one can expect for is the Imaginary Architecture created by the Queen of color, India Mahdavi.

With fine craftsmanship in mind, India Mahdavi has applied her vivid imagination to narrate a personal story of her relationship with the world of master artisans. As a result, during this imperative event, the highly skilled creator will be presenting two ingenious spaces that showcase the passion and excellence of artisans as well as the visionary designer.

“The Henry Rosseau Forever” In this abstract winter garden, Mahdavi pays homage to Rousseau, the French post-impressionist painter known for his rich forest scenes. She does this by using rattan, a natural material she has always loved and has used in her creations for a long time.

Here, she collaborates with some of the few remaining rattan artisans in Europe to create beautiful handmade chairs, masks, and intricate rattan marquetry panels.

Mahdavi tells the story of her relationship with rattan, showing how this noble, traditional material can be transformed in new and sophisticated ways. These beautiful rattan creations are offset by a black and white mosaic floor, bespoke mirrors and dramatic lighting created especially for this exhibit by Italian master craftsmen. Together, the artisans in this space show how traditional skills can make a vital contribution to contemporary living.

This contemporary upholstered living space in the shape of a rotunda draws on Mahdavi’s characteristic use of bold color and her long history of working with master upholsterers.
The walls feature exquisite embroidery made by a long-time collaborator, while the upholstery is so complex it can only be handmade by specialist artisans.