A Venetian Reverie: Artemest Brings Italian Craftsmanship to Life during Homo Faber in Città 2026

Edited by Elliott Greene / Photos courtesy of Artemest

Few cities embody craftsmanship as completely as Venice. Its canals, palazzi, and handblown Murano glass all reflect a culture where artistry has long been a way of life. This September, that legacy finds a striking new expression with Ca' Riflesso, Artemest's immersive installation transforming a historic Venetian residence into an exquisitely imagined collector's home as part of Homo Faber in Città 2026 (homofaber.com/en), the internationally acclaimed celebration of contemporary craftsmanship organized by the Michelangelo Foundation. Ca' Riflesso embraces this year's emphasis on light, materials, and the human hand. Visitors exploring Venice during the month-long festival will discover exhibitions and artisan experiences throughout the city, with Artemest's installation among the most immersive destinations.

Contemporary glass artisan Simone Crestani of Arelier Crestani

Under the creative direction of Artemest co-founder Ippolita Rostagno, the installation inside Casa Sanlorenzo in Venice's Dorsoduro district embraces the quiet poetry of everyday living. Rather than presenting objects in the familiar format of a gallery exhibition, Artemest invites visitors into an experience that feels intimate and deeply personal. The exhibition unfolds room by room, where crafted furnishings, lighting, decorative objects, textiles, and works of art appear as though they have been thoughtfully acquired over a lifetime. The effect of this living narrative is cinematic, allowing guests to imagine inhabiting these extraordinary design vignettes.

The exhibition’s name reflects the spirit of the project. Derived from the Venetian word Ca', meaning "home," and the Italian Riflesso, meaning "reflection," Ca' Riflesso explores the dialogue between memory and modernity, craftsmanship and innovation. In each room of the restored late-1940s residence, reimagined by architect Piero Lissoni, Venice's ever-changing light illuminates handcrafted surfaces, reinforcing the central theme that exceptional craftsmanship is meant to be lived with rather than merely admired.

More than fifty Italian artisans and celebrated brands are contributors to the installation, representing disciplines ranging from Murano glass and sculptural lighting to bespoke furniture, ceramics, textiles, and decorative arts. Together, their body of work forms a layered portrait of Venice's creative heritage while showing how traditional techniques continue to evolve through contemporary design. Historic Rubelli fabrics, long synonymous with Venetian luxury textiles, provide the exhibition's drapery.

Open to the public from September 1–30, 2026, Ca' Riflesso promises to be one of the standout design experiences of Venice's cultural calendar, offering visitors an opportunity to step inside a world where the artistry of Italy is beautifully lived.