The research and training of specialized labor and the survival of the art of Burano lace are the challenges facing Atelier Martina Vidal. This Venetian company is part of the Upskill Venezia project, which connects innovative technologies and artisanal traditions to accelerate cultural enterprise
Atelier Martina Vidal is a Venetian company specializing in the production of clothing and accessories in Burano lace, one of the most precious and ancient fabrics in the world.
A hand-weaving technique developed on the island of Burano in the 14th century: a Venetian excellence with a light, transparent, delicate, and elegant weave, which has been kept alive by the Vidal family for four generations.
Martina Vidal is part of the network of eight companies involved in the Upskill Venezia program, a project to accelerate cultural and artisanal enterprise that connects new technologies with traditional craftsmanship. It is promoted by Fondazione di Venezia in collaboration with Upskill 4.0, a spin-off of the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, together with students from various Italian ITS (Higher Technical Institutes).
The experience and approach with the ITS students from Bologna, who use technology to create a virtual experience of Burano and its lace, have encouraged Atelier Martina Vidal to innovate and reinterpret the lace tradition, using design to create high-quality and valuable products.
Addressing the significant limitation caused by the lack of specialized labor—a continuous challenge for the company and for the survival of the art of lace-making—the idea was born to create a school to train young artisans and to collaborate with experts to use virtual and augmented reality to share their art with the world.
Photos by Settimo Cannatella.
